unwieldy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'unwieldy' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is difficult to use, carry, or control, usually because of its size or shape. For example: I had trouble carrying the unwieldy suitcase up the stairs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On it was written the 10 points which the party used, in a rather unwieldy fashion, to set out their case.

The Guardian - Opinion

If digitisation holds out the promise of every word ever written being cleanly stored on servers, unwieldy bricks made of paper and cardboard can easily fall into the dreaded modern category of "clutter".

The Guardian - Opinion

They can get in the way of a decent political dogfight, which provides far more reliable fun than cluttering up a news report with unwieldy statistics.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ever greater fragmentation and atomisation, more schools with unqualified teachers and no local oversight, the centralisation of power in an unwieldy Department for Education can only exacerbate the risk of further problems.

The Guardian - Opinion

His trip to Arnhem Land this year bore more hallmarks of an election-style PR exercise, but in fairness that may be because of the unwieldy prime ministerial apparatus, including the media, that now shadows his every move.

The Guardian - Opinion

Big problems seem like they're too big to solve, and big organisations seem too slow and unwieldy to offer much hope.

The Guardian

Murray also put in train a thorough examination of the TUC's unwieldy structure, made more pressing by a declining membership during the Thatcher years.

The Guardian

That can make for an unwieldy and less persuasive book.

The Economist

California's state finances are still unwieldy, thanks largely to Proposition 13, which famously caps property-tax rates and mandates a two-thirds legislative supermajority to raise any taxes.

The Economist

It would be more unwieldy than a tax but would probably include a mechanism for trading carbon permits among companies (a "cap and trade" scheme) that would greatly reduce the cost of reducing emissions.The Economic Report of the President is full of praise for market-based policies and various proposals for some sort of trading are already floating around Congress.

The Economist

With Mr Prodi out of the picture (and out of the country), his Olive Tree alliance, which had turned into an increasingly unwieldy jumble of 12 parties, including post-Communists, still-Communists, Greens, leftish Catholics, Socialists and Mr Prodi's own demoralised rump of centrists, has been trying, without success, to come up with a new name.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like systems or organizations, use "unwieldy" to emphasize the difficulty in managing or reforming them. For example: "The bureaucracy had become an unwieldy structure.".

Common error

While "unwieldy" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in very informal contexts where simpler words like "clumsy" or "awkward" might be more appropriate. Consider the tone and audience when choosing your vocabulary.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unwieldy" primarily functions as a pre-modifier, describing nouns to indicate difficulty in handling, managing, or controlling them. Ludwig AI confirms its standard usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unwieldy" is a versatile adjective used to describe something difficult to handle, manage, or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. When writing, consider using "unwieldy" to emphasize the challenges in managing complex systems or handling large objects, but be mindful of your audience and context, as simpler synonyms might be more suitable in informal settings. Always ensure the tone is appropriate to both the subject and the target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cumbersome

Focuses on the heaviness or bulkiness that makes something difficult to carry or use.

unmanageable

Highlights the difficulty in controlling or directing something.

awkward to handle

Emphasizes the lack of grace or ease in manipulating something.

difficult to manoeuvre

Specifically refers to the challenge of moving or positioning something.

clumsy

Suggests a lack of skill or dexterity in dealing with something.

bulky

Highlights the large size or volume that makes something hard to manage.

ponderous

Implies heaviness and slowness in movement or handling.

ungainly

Suggests a lack of physical coordination or grace.

heavy

Focuses primarily on the weight of an object.

inconvenient

Highlights the difficulty and lack of practicality to handle or operate something.

FAQs

How can I use "unwieldy" in a sentence?

You can use "unwieldy" to describe something difficult to handle or manage due to its size, shape, or complexity. For example: "The package was too "cumbersome" and "unmanageable" to carry alone.".

What are some synonyms for "unwieldy"?

Synonyms for "unwieldy" include "cumbersome", "unmanageable", "clumsy", and "awkward to handle". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to describe an organization as "unwieldy" or "inefficient"?

Both "unwieldy" and "inefficient" can describe an organization, but "unwieldy" suggests that the organization is difficult to manage or control, while "inefficient" implies it's not operating effectively. The choice depends on the specific issue you want to highlight.

What's the difference between "unwieldy" and "cumbersome"?

"Unwieldy" generally refers to something that is difficult to handle or manage, whereas "cumbersome" specifically highlights the characteristic of being heavy and difficult to carry. A "complex" system can be "unwieldy", while a large box is "cumbersome".