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ponderously

ponderously

2 7.8
To speak or move slowly and heavily in an awkward, boring way
  • adverb
  • /ˈpɒndərəsli/
translation icon : ponderosamente
  • The truck slid sideways so ponderously that there was never a splash.
  • ponderously slow
  • ponderously slowly
  • rose ponderously

Examples

  • "Let me tell you how it is," he began, pulling his chin, ponderously anxious.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Even so, it remained a ponderously bulky structure of indeterminate style.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The alternative is to very ponderously explain your mood and tone.

    Blog text (5)
  • Naruhito shook his head ponderously from side to side.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The accounts we'd read about Martians suggested that without their metallic bodies, they moved ponderously slowly here on Earth.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Slowly and ponderously, first hundreds, then thousands of female olive ridley turtles march up the beach.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Trained to resist foreign invasions, the Mexican army was ponderously slow in its response to mass popular uprising.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Janek drew some fuel up with the pump, grasped the crank handle, and slowly, lethargically, ponderously, like a tortoise, the guts of the engine started to turn over.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Look at those guys! A couple of the moaning, writhing turtles were levering themselves ponderously to their feet, trudging slowly and hopelessly away toward the turtle quarters.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The elephant walked ponderously through the thick jungle, making the ground shake with each heavy step.

Synonyms

blandly
vsponderously
4 5.2

In a calm way that shows no strong feeling or interest

is heavier and slower with awkwardness rather than merely neutral or plain
lifelessly
vsponderously
1 5.4

In a way that shows no energy or interest

is slower and heavier with awkwardness rather than simply lacking vitality
drearily
vsponderously
1 5.4

In a boring, gloomy way that shows little energy

is slower and heavier with awkward movement rather than simply gloomy or sad
gracelessly
vsponderously
1 6.5

In an awkward or clumsy way

is heavier and slower in addition to lacking elegance or smoothness
lethargically
vsponderously
1 6.7

Slowly and without energy

is heavier and more awkward rather than only lacking energy or speed
lumpishly
vsponderously
  • Archaic
9.3

To move in a slow, heavy, and awkward way

is slower and more dull rather than mainly clumsy in movement
leadenly
vsponderously
7.2

In a slow, heavy way that shows little energy

is slower and more awkward rather than mainly showing weight alone
ploddingly
vsponderously
8.1

In a slow, heavy way that shows little energy or interest

is more awkward and dull rather than just showing tired effort
cloddishly
vsponderously
  • Informal
9.1

In a clumsy or awkward way

is heavier and more weighted in pace rather than merely clumsy physically
vapidly
vsponderously
8.0

In a dull way that shows no interest

is heavier and physically slow rather than merely lacking liveliness or interest
drably
vsponderously
6.5

In a dull way without life or interest

is slower and more weighty in movement rather than only visually dull
prosily
vsponderously
9.9

In a dull, boring way that makes people lose interest

is slower and heavy in motion rather than just monotonous speech or style
stodgily
vsponderously
  • UK
8.9

In a dull, boring way with little interest

is more physically slow and awkward rather than mainly formal or stiff
unexcitingly
vsponderously
5.8

In a dull way that does not interest people

is slower and more weighty in movement rather than only uninteresting in tone

Antonyms

1.0

At a fast speed or without delay

56 2.8

In a smooth and beautiful way that looks controlled

How Awkward

ponderously
2 7.8
clumsily
12 2.8
awkwardly
38 2.7
smoothly
173 2.3

Surface Forms

ponderously positive
ponderouslyer comparative
ponderouslyest superlative

Morphology

ponderously = ponderous (transparent) = ponder + ous + ly

A regular adverb formed by adding '-ly' to the adjective 'ponderous', producing 'in a ponderous manner'.

Etymology

Ponderously comes from the Latin word pondus meaning 'weight', and it is related to English words like ponder ('to think') and ponderous ('heavy'). So, to do something ponderously is to do it slowly and heavily, as if it is weighed down.