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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.

Its monolithic character has caused some to call it Brutalist, although it lacks the ponderous dignity of Cold War Brutalism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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about the characterization of European initiatives to boost growth as slow and ponderous, Lancastle argues this is no longer valid.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

Liverpool were slow, ponderous and lacking in ideas.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 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

Lord Wyman was looking down at Rhaegar as if he were a roach in need of a hard heel... yet then, abruptly, he gave a ponderous nod that set his chins to wobbling.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Vocabulary lists containing ponderous

Their Eyes Were Watching God

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Mythology

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"The Odyssey," Vocabulary from Part 1 of the epic poem

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