Ponderous

Ponderous describes something that is heavy, unwieldy, and often slow-moving, both literally and figuratively. It can refer to a physical object that is difficult to lift or maneuver due to its weight or bulk. Figuratively, it signifies something dull, labored, and lacking in grace or fluency. A ponderous argument might be overly complex and tiresome, while a ponderous writing style could be marked by excessive detail and a lack of clarity. The word often implies a lack of agility or elegance, making something seem cumbersome and burdensome.

Ponderous meaning with examples

• The antique safe, a ponderous piece of iron and steel, required four men to move it from the house to the waiting truck, straining with each foot of slow progress.
• His presentation, burdened with countless charts and statistics, was ponderous and ultimately lost the audience's attention despite the importance of the subject matter.
• The politician delivered a ponderous speech filled with clichés and platitudes, offering little in the way of concrete solutions or innovative ideas for the ongoing problems.
• Despite the team's best efforts, the bureaucratic process proved ponderous, delaying the project's approval for months with its complex procedures and endless paperwork.