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Definitions

ponderous

[pon-der-uhs] / ˈpɒn dər əs /
ADJECTIVE
heavy, cumbersome
Synonyms
STRONGEST
awkward bulky clumsy unwieldy weighty
WEAK
burdensome cumbrous dull elephantine graceless hefty huge laborious lifeless lumbering massive onerous oppressive substantial troublesome unhandy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
adroit clever convenient dexterous easy graceful handy small thin
WEAK
airy buoyant delicate fun light unburdensome
ADJECTIVE
dreary, tedious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
labored monotonous plodding stilted stodgy stuffy
WEAK
arid barren cardboard dry dull heavy humdrum lifeless long-winded pedantic pedestrian prolix stiff vapid verbose wooden
Antonyms
STRONGEST
exciting
WEAK
airy buoyant delicate fun light unburdensome

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Asked about the characterization of European initiatives to boost growth as slow and ponderous, Lancastle argues this is no longer valid.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 16, 2026

Some of the biggest obstacles facing Germany’s military planners are intangible: ponderous procurement rules, onerous data protection laws, and other regulations forged in a more peaceful era.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 27, 2025

Despite Chelsea's territorial dominance, their fans began to grow frustrated at their ponderous passing and failure to put Wolves to the sword.

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

Liverpool even felt the frustrations of their own supporters on occasions, when build-up was ponderous and they looked short of ideas to penetrate United's unyielding defence.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2025

A sly twist on the formulaic reporting and ponderous tone of conventional obituaries.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.