clamber

Ascend with difficulty

Clamber is to climb awkwardly or with difficulty, typically using both hands and feet.

The word suggests effortful, ungraceful movement over rough or steep terrain, or through tight spaces.

We clambered over the rocks to reach the tide pools.

The children clambered up the playground equipment.

Unlike climb, which can be smooth and controlled, clamber always implies some struggle or scrambling.

movement

scrabble

Claw or grope frantically

  • crawlMove slowly, low
  • clawCurved animal nail
  • haulPull or carry laboriously

hoist · grip · foothold · handhold · grapple · wriggle · shinny · maneuver · negotiate · surmount

terrain

rocks

Solid mineral pieces

embankment · ledge · outcrop · rubble · scree · cliff · bluff · ravine · gorge · crag

gait

stumble

Lose footing momentarily

  • lurchAbrupt unsteady movement
  • staggerWalk unsteadily, sway
  • wobbleUnsteady side-to-side motion

totter · fumble · slip · falter · unsteady · clumsy · labored · ungraceful · hands and knees · all fours

obstacles

fence

Boundary structure between properties

  • wallVertical enclosing structure
  • gateHinged barrier in fence
  • barrierObstruction preventing passage

stile · ladder · scaffolding · railing · debris · wreckage · fallen tree · ruins · haystack · playground

Categories
Opposites
direction of movement

clamberdescend

Move to lower position

climb down · drop · slide down · abseil · rappel

manner of movement

clamberglide

Move with effortless continuity

float · sail · drift · flow · saunter

effort and control

clamberfall

Descend under gravity

drop · plunge · tumble · plummet · collapse

Family

clambered, clambering, clambers, clamberer

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G