cumbersome

adjective

cum·ber·some | \ ˈkəm-bər-səm

Definition of cumbersome

1 : unwieldy because of heaviness and bulk a cumbersome package

2 : slow-moving : ponderous cumbersome administrative procedures

3 dialect : burdensome, troublesome

Other Words from cumbersome Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about cumbersome

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for cumbersome

heavy, weighty, ponderous, cumbrous, cumbersome mean having great weight. heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class. a heavy child for his age weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight. a load of weighty boxes ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia. ponderous elephants in a circus parade 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

Examples of cumbersome in a Sentence

Squad members, already decked out in cumbersome chemical suits, put on masks and rubber gloves. — Ray Wilkinson, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 1991 He got the approval of the higher-ups, but the course was scuttled by members of his own department, who devised all kinds of cumbersome, silly requirements and prerequisites. — Alice Munro, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 1989

Recent Examples on the Web

Many people found the old calculator to be a more than a bit cumbersome, but the new estimator is getting some good reviews. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Now, a new way to estimate next year's tax refund," 14 Aug. 2019 Proponents, who include car dealers and auto enthusiasts, argue the requirement is costly and cumbersome, especially considering that all the states that border Ohio require only a rear license plate. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "State lawmakers, police groups attempting rescue of Ohio’s front license plate requirement," 29 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cumbersome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for cumbersome

cumbersome

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of cumbersome

: hard to handle or manage because of size or weight

: complicated and hard to do

: long and difficult to read, say, etc.

See the full definition for cumbersome in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cumbersome

adjective

cum·ber·some | \ ˈkəm-bər-səm

Kids Definition of cumbersome

: hard to handle or manage because of size or weight

Keep scrolling for more

cumbersome

Definition of cumbersome

Other Words from cumbersome

Synonyms & Antonyms for cumbersome

Choose the Right Synonym for cumbersome

Examples of cumbersome in a Sentence

First Known Use of cumbersome

History and Etymology for cumbersome

English Language Learners Definition of cumbersome

Kids Definition of cumbersome

cumbersome

Definition of cumbersome

Other Words from cumbersome

Synonyms & Antonyms for cumbersome

Choose the Right Synonym for cumbersome

Examples of cumbersome in a Sentence

First Known Use of cumbersome

History and Etymology for cumbersome

English Language Learners Definition of cumbersome

Kids Definition of cumbersome

WORD OF THE DAY