cumbersome

Difficult to carry, move, or use because of its size, weight, or shape.

• This suitcase is cumbersome.
• They struggled to lift the cumbersome desk.
• The old equipment was too cumbersome to use outside.

How to use it: cumbersome to do something (The camera was cumbersome to carry on long walks.)

Similar words: unwieldy, awkward, bulky

Opposites: handy, manageable

Common phrases: cumbersome equipment, cumbersome to carry, cumbersome machine

Causing difficulty or extra work that slows you down.

• The rules are cumbersome.
• Cumbersome paperwork delayed our application.
• They replaced the cumbersome process with a simple online form.

Similar words: burdensome, onerous

Common phrases: cumbersome procedure, cumbersome rules, cumbersome paperwork

Moving slowly and heavily, without much ease or speed.

• The cumbersome beast moved slowly.
• His cumbersome steps shook the wooden floor.
• The creature's movements became more cumbersome as it tired.

Similar words: lumbering, sluggish

Opposites: agile, nimble

Common phrases: cumbersome movement, cumbersome steps, cumbersome beast

Difficult and tiring to deal with or carry out.

• The work was cumbersome and tiring.
• They faced the cumbersome task of clearing the fields.
• He gave up his cumbersome duties at last.

Similar words: arduous, laborious, demanding

Opposites: easy, effortless

Common phrases: cumbersome task, cumbersome work, cumbersome duties