unwieldy

adjective

un·​wieldy ˌən-ˈwēl-dē 

: not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or awkwardness) : cumbersome

unwieldily

ˌən-ˈwēl-də-lē 

adverb

unwieldiness

ˌən-ˈwēl-dē-nəs 

noun

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The Difference Between Wieldy and Unwieldy

The verb to wield means "to handle or exert something effectively." A carpenter might wield a hammer with impressive dexterity, for example, or a talented orator might wield influence over an audience of listeners. Something that is "wieldy" is capable of being wielded easily, and while that adjective may not be particularly common, its antonym "unwieldy" finds ample use to describe anything that is awkward to handle, move, or manage. "Wield" and its relatives all derive via Middle English from Old English wieldan, meaning "to control."

Synonyms

• awkward
• bunglesome
• clumsy
• clunky
• cranky
• cumbersome
• cumbrous
• ponderous
• ungainly
• unhandy

Examples of unwieldy in a Sentence

The system is outdated and unwieldy.

an unwieldy machine that requires two people to operate it

Recent Examples on the Web

Tech stacks have become unwieldy and difficult to justify, both financially and operationally. —Michael Zuercher, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

This will give it better balance and make the saw feel less heavy and unwieldy. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2024

Ideally, this is no more than a few because fielding questions and evaluating responses becomes unwieldy as the number of vendors increases. —Peter Karlson, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The United States Code of Federal Regulations, towering at over 145 million words, represents one of the most complex and unwieldy legal systems in human history. —Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

unwieldy

adjective

un·​wieldy ˌən-ˈwē(ə)l-dē 

ˈən-

: not easily handled or managed because of size or weight : awkward, cumbersome

an unwieldy tool