CUMBERSOME Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'cumbersome' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cumbersome are cumbrous , heavy , ponderous , and weighty . While all these words mean "having great weight," cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating. // wrestled with the cumbrous furniture // early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Q: Where would 'heavy' be a reasonable alternative to 'cumbersome'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cumbersome , heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class. // a heavy child for his age

Q: When can 'ponderous' be used instead of 'cumbersome'?

The words ponderous and cumbersome can be used in similar contexts, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia. // ponderous elephants in a circus parade

Q: When might 'weighty' be a better fit than 'cumbersome'?

In some situations, the words weighty and cumbersome are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight. // a load of weighty boxes

cumbersome

adjective

ˈkəm-bər-səm

Definition of cumbersome next

as in clumsy

difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design a long-handled wrench that is too cumbersome for tight spots, such as under the sink

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How does the adjective cumbersome differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of cumbersome are cumbrous, heavy, ponderous, and weighty. While all these words mean "having great weight," cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture

early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

Where would heavy be a reasonable alternative to cumbersome?

While in some cases nearly identical to cumbersome, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When can ponderous be used instead of cumbersome?

The words ponderous and cumbersome can be used in similar contexts, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

When might weighty be a better fit than cumbersome?

In some situations, the words weighty and cumbersome are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cumbersome Though earlier consoles from companies like Atari provided joystick controls, most of it was cumbersome. —

Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025 There's another caveat: The heating pad has to be moved to the front of the body to adjust the heat and vibration settings, which our tester found cumbersome, especially when treating back pain. —

Bianca Lambert, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 These bring a bass-heavy sound and the convenience of wireless audio with up to 9 hours of battery life, 15 hours more in the charging case, and a sleek design that's not too cumbersome. —

Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 13 Jan. 2025 Simply moving around as a Viking warrior is cumbersome, although its combat presents a brutality the series was missing in recent entries. —

John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cumbersome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome

Adjective

In a moment when Liston was hurling a clumsy punch and his balance was susceptible, Ali threw what looked like a swiping right graze at his opponent’s head.

— Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Even observers who think the outlook for China’s economy is less dire agree that its growth is slowing and will be constrained by structural challenges and a clumsy policymaking process.

— Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025