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 This bag has a subtly vintage silhouette and fits everything without being cumbersome. —

Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Jan. 2025 Innovative Blending: Vintage Cognacs are unusual because the requirements to certify a vintage bottling are cumbersome. —

Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Comments Traveling in the winter requires pants that are warm and comfy but not too cumbersome or impractical to pack. —

Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, applying for and receiving federal aid can be cumbersome. —

Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cumbersome

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cumbersome

Adjective

Game to game, characters like the speedy Pete Wheeler or clumsy Angela Delvecchio were true to their traits across each release.

— Jake Lang, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2025
Relentless, hi-def gore is The Monkey’s greatest achievement, but all the blood-spatter in the world couldn’t redeem its clumsy plotting, frat-boy humor, and feigned memento mori.

— Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 7 Feb. 2025