cumbersome Definition
- 1burdensome, heavy, and awkward to carry or use
- 2slow or complicated and therefore inefficient
Using cumbersome: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cumbersome" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The furniture was so cumbersome that it took hours to move it out of the house.
Example
The new software is very cumbersome and takes a long time to load.
Example
The old printer was large and cumbersome, but the new one is much smaller and easier to use.
cumbersome Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for cumbersome
Phrases with cumbersome
a system of government or organization that is slow, complicated, and inefficient
Example
The company's cumbersome bureaucracy made it difficult for employees to get things done.
cumbersome regulations
rules or laws that are complicated and difficult to understand or follow
Example
The new tax code is full of cumbersome regulations that make it hard for small businesses to comply.
machinery or tools that are large, heavy, and difficult to move or use
Example
The construction crew struggled to move the cumbersome equipment into place.
Origins of cumbersome
from Middle English 'combersom', meaning 'difficult to manage'
Summary: cumbersome in Brief
The term 'cumbersome' [kuhm-ber-suhm] describes something that is difficult to carry or use, often due to its size or complexity. It can refer to physical objects like furniture or equipment, as well as abstract concepts like bureaucracy or regulations. Examples include 'The new software is very cumbersome and takes a long time to load.' and 'The old printer was large and cumbersome, but the new one is much smaller and easier to use.' Synonyms include 'awkward' and 'unwieldy,' while antonyms include 'manageable' and 'lightweight.'