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Definition of unwieldy

unwieldy

/ʌnˈwiːl.di/
un · wiel · dy
Adverb:unwieldily
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unwieldy Lexical Profile

unwieldy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Hard to carry, move, or manage because of its large size, awkward shape, or heavy weight.

Example

"The antique wardrobe was so unwieldy that it took four people to carry it up the narrow staircase."

2

Difficult to direct, organize, or function efficiently because of excessive size, complexity, or bureaucracy (of a system, organization, or process).

Example

"The committee had grown into an unwieldy group of thirty members who could rarely reach a consensus."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for unwieldy

• Nearby Words

unwholesomeness
unwieldily
unwieldiness
unwieldy
unwilled
unwilling
unwillingly

Word Origin & Etymology

Originated in the late 14th century as 'unweldy', meaning 'lacking strength' or 'feeble', from the prefix 'un-' (not) and the obsolete adjective 'wieldy' (active, easy to handle), derived from Old English 'wieldan' (to rule, control, or handle).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unwieldy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unwieldy
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