cumbersome

[kuhm-ber-suhm]

adjective

1. burdensome; troublesome.

   Synonyms: onerous, weighty, heavy

2. unwieldy; clumsy.

   Synonyms: awkward

cumbersome

/ ˈkʌmbəsəm, ˈkʌmbrəs /

adjective

1. awkward because of size, weight, or shape

   cumbersome baggage

2. difficult because of extent or complexity

   cumbersome accounts

Other Word Forms

• cumbersomely adverb
• cumbersomeness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbersome¹

First recorded in 1325–75, cumbersome is from the Middle English word cummyrsum. See cumber, -some ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cumbersome¹

C14: cumber , short for _encumber + _-some ¹

Example Sentences

Moving out of the White House is a cumbersome endeavor for all presidents.

From Salon

County was cumbersome and time consuming and relied on spreadsheets, phone calls and daily emails to track inventory and get people shelter.

From Los Angeles Times

Anna also told the BBC it's heavy and cumbersome, meaning Wren can only self propel it a few metres before she needs help.

From BBC

The back three don't look suited to their jobs, the midfield is slow and cumbersome, and the attack is far too reliant on one player delivering each week.

From BBC

Technocratic progressivism almost certainly has better solutions, but it is cumbersome and doesn’t appeal to or excite people’s passions the way populist demagoguery does.

From Salon

Related Words

• bulky 
• burdensome 
• embarrassing www.thesaurus.com
• heavy 
• inconvenient 
• ponderous 
• tiresome 
• unwieldy