unwieldily

Unwieldily is an adverb derived from the adjective unwieldy. It describes performing an action in a manner that is difficult to handle, manage, or use; in other words, in a clumsy or cumbersome way. In modern English, unwieldy is the more common form for both describing objects and for adverbial use, while unwieldily is comparatively rare and can come across as marked or archaic.

Etymology and form: The word combines the prefix un- with the base wieldy, which relates to wielding or handling. The adjective unwieldy describes something awkward or hard to manage; the adverbial form unwieldily mirrors the standard -ly derivation used to modify verbs.

Usage and style: Unwieldily appears infrequently in contemporary writing and is not universally accepted across all style guides. When clarity or naturalness is a concern, writers typically prefer unwieldy (as an adjective) or replace the adverb with a phrase such as “in an unwieldy manner,” or with synonyms like clumsily or awkwardly.

Examples: The team moved the large container unwieldily, struggling to avoid the shelves. The machine was used unwieldily in tight spaces, which impeded its operation. More common alternatives include “in an unwieldy manner” or simply “awkwardly” or “clumsily.”

Related terms: Unwieldiness (the noun form) refers to the quality of being unwieldy. Related concepts include manageability, usability, and the broader category of adjectives describing ease of use.

See also: unwieldy, wield, manageability, usability.