unwieldy
adjective
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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
Examples of unwieldy in a Sentence
Ayesha Mahmood, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
At first, playing Tetris with your keyboard fingers while managing Minesweeper with your mouse hand can feel a little unwieldy—a bit like trying to drive a car and cook an omelet at the same time.
—Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024
In fact, growing these plants in overly rich soil or fertilizing too often can cause their stems to outgrow their roots and make the plants unwieldy.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Dec. 2024
The result has been a competition that has felt, at times, unwieldy and inelegant and exhausting.
—Sam Lee, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unwieldy 
Dictionary Entries Near unwieldy
Cite this Entry
“Unwieldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwieldy. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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unwieldy
adjective
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