Synonyms of cumbersome

cumbersome

adjective

ˈkəm-bər-səm 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clumsy
• awkward
• unwieldy
• clunky
• ungainly
• cumbrous
• unhandy
• ponderous
• heavy
• impractical
• cranky
• bulky
• unmanageable
• massive
• bunglesome
• uncontrollable
• impracticable
• dinosauric
• elephantine
• hulking
• dinosaurian

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• practical
• useful
• functional
• handy
• practicable
• serviceable

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of cumbersome

The problem was that existing 3D cameras were far too cumbersome to take into the cave, which is carefully protected to keep carbon dioxide from seeping in. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Apr. 2026

Despite its stellar cast, the cumbersome plot dulls the comedic beats that would otherwise be razor-sharp. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026

After installing the upgrades, federal customers would be effectively locked in, because shifting to a competitor after the free trial would be cumbersome and costly. —Renee Dudley, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 2026

Travel-Ready Crossbody Bags Packing accessories can often be the most cumbersome part of traveling, but that doesn’t negate the importance of a compact yet spacious purse to hold all your essentials. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026