cumbersome
adjective
cum·ber·some
ˈkəm-bər-səm 
1
: unwieldy because of heaviness and bulk
a cumbersome package
2
: slow-moving : ponderous
cumbersome administrative procedures
3
dialect
: burdensome, troublesome
cumbersomely
adverb
cumbersomeness
noun
Synonyms
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
He cut some segments of the 2" pine but discovered that … a cumbersome system of braces would be needed to hold the sides straight.
—John Updike, Couples, 1968
The application process is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Her expanded job title is really cumbersome.
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
He cut some segments of the 2" pine but discovered that … a cumbersome system of braces would be needed to hold the sides straight.
—John Updike, Couples, 1968
The application process is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Her expanded job title is really cumbersome.
Recent Examples on the Web
Each review platform has rules and processes for removing content, but these procedures are often cumbersome.
—Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
While one runner on the test crew found the relatively large case a bit cumbersome to carry in a pocket, the 8-hour charge was adequate for most workouts and daylong activities (and the case provides another 24 hours).
—Will Palmer, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024
Permitting locations within the greater Los Angeles area is uniquely cumbersome compared with essentially every other domestic production hub; not to mention significantly more expensive than other markets.
—Preston Garrett, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
What to Consider The zipper doesn’t run the length of the sleeping bag, which helps with heat retention but makes getting in and out a bit more cumbersome.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cumbersome 
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Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
While one runner on the test crew found the relatively large case a bit cumbersome to carry in a pocket, the 8-hour charge was adequate for most workouts and daylong activities (and the case provides another 24 hours).
—Will Palmer, Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024
Permitting locations within the greater Los Angeles area is uniquely cumbersome compared with essentially every other domestic production hub; not to mention significantly more expensive than other markets.
—Preston Garrett, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Oct. 2024
What to Consider The zipper doesn’t run the length of the sleeping bag, which helps with heat retention but makes getting in and out a bit more cumbersome.
—Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cumbersome
Articles Related to cumbersome
Dictionary Entries Near cumbersome
Cite this Entry
“Cumbersome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cumbersome. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cumbersome
adjective
cum·ber·some
ˈkəm-bər-səm
: hard to handle or manage because of size or weight
cumbersomely
adverb
cumbersomeness
noun
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