ponderous

[ˈpɒndərəs]

ponderous Definition

• 1. slow and clumsy because of great weight
• 2. dull, laborious, or excessively solemn

Using ponderous: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ponderous" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The elephant moved in a ponderous manner.

• Example

  His speech was ponderous and boring.

• Example

  The book was filled with ponderous prose.

• Example

  The old computer was too ponderous to run the new software.

ponderous Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for ponderous

• heavy
• cumbersome
• awkward
• tedious
• dreary

Antonyms for ponderous

• light
• nimble
• lively

Phrases with ponderous

• ponderous style

  a writing style that is excessively long-winded and difficult to read

  Example

  The author's ponderous style made it hard to get through the book.

• ponderous machinery

  machinery that is large, heavy, and difficult to move

  Example

  The factory had to be redesigned to accommodate the new ponderous machinery.

• ponderous silence

  a silence that is awkward or uncomfortable because of its length or heaviness

  Example

  After the argument, there was a ponderous silence in the room.

Origins of ponderous

from Latin 'ponderosus', meaning 'weighty'

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Summary: ponderous in Brief

The term 'ponderous' [ˈpɒndərəs] describes something that is slow, clumsy, or excessively solemn. It can refer to physical weight, as in 'The elephant moved in a ponderous manner,' or to writing style, as in 'The book was filled with ponderous prose.' 'Ponderous' can also describe machinery or silence, as in 'ponderous machinery' or 'ponderous silence.' Synonyms include 'cumbersome' and 'tedious.'