as in clumsy
difficult to use or operate especially because of size, weight, or design
even my five-year-old laptop seems clunky next to some of the really slim new models
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clunky
This series has many of his signatures: officers who take things too personally on account of their painful back stories, police lingo 101 and criminals whose clunky villainy could be ripped from a comic book.
—
Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The really clunky moments come off like an audition tape in which the off-camera casting assistant running lines is late on their cues.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Unlike some winter boots, which can be big and clunky, the Cariuma Ibira Boot is sleek and thoughtfully designed.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025
Movement down low still looks a little clunky at times but he’s got some real tools and size.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clunky 
Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The really clunky moments come off like an audition tape in which the off-camera casting assistant running lines is late on their cues.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Dec. 2024
Unlike some winter boots, which can be big and clunky, the Cariuma Ibira Boot is sleek and thoughtfully designed.
—Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2025
Movement down low still looks a little clunky at times but he’s got some real tools and size.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for clunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clunky
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Listen to Marsden recall the awkward encounter in the clip above.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
24 Jan. 2025
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In his defense, the Anti-Defamation League tweeted from X that Musk’s gesture seemed to be an awkward expression of enthusiasm.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This bag has a subtly vintage silhouette and fits everything without being cumbersome.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
24 Jan. 2025
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Innovative Blending: Vintage Cognacs are unusual because the requirements to certify a vintage bottling are cumbersome.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This often results in shots that are launched with her hands well outside of the vertical cylinder of her body, resulting in her most unwieldy misses.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2025
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The leadership shift follows a period of growth and strategic expansion under Cerutti and an unwieldy art market.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near clunky
Cite this Entry
“Clunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clunky. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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