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
Toby Rose, Parents, 24 Oct. 2024
Professional models can reach well over 20 feet, but these can be unwieldy and not really suitable for homeowners.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2024
When Ivan takes cowardly flight, the picture becomes ever more ambitious and unwieldy, morphing into a vehicular chase thriller, with three men in desperate pursuit and a sullen, semi-chastened Ani in tow.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
That yielded over 350 accounts, which was unwieldy.
—PCMAG, 7 Oct. 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 Nov. 2024.
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unwieldy
adjective
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