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Synonyms

clamber

American  
[klam-ber, klam-er] / ˈklæm bər, ˈklæm ər /

verb (used with or without object)

  1. to climb, using both feet and hands; climb with effort or difficulty.

noun

  1. an act or instance of clambering.

clamber British  
/ ˈklæmbə /

verb

  1. to climb (something) awkwardly, esp by using both hands and feet

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a climb performed in this manner

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • clamberer noun

Etymology

Origin of clamber

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English clambren, equivalent to clamb- (akin to climb ) + -r- -er 6 + -en infinitive suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Those lucky enough to snap out of psychosis and regain touch with the tangible world are now building support groups online to help others clamber out.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

"Five more minutes, and I would have left you," the pilot tells the reporters as they clamber back in, the chopper stuttering up and banking over the town's remains.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

“We hope that the students and the public will be able to sort of clamber over these rocks in the years to come and be inspired by what they find.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

They can clamber over rock formations that include layers of books.

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2024

He gently tugged and guided me until I was able to let go of the branch and clamber into his room.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.