clamber
/ˈklambə
/verb [no object, with adverbial of direction]
Climb or move in an awkward and laborious way, typically using both hands and feet: I clambered out of the trench...
- Each time, with undue fuss, he clambered to his feet and returned to the fray.
- He worried and she shrugged in return, clambering to her feet.
- I shouted back, clambering to my feet and tying my hair with the first hair band I could find.
Synonyms
scramble, climb, scrabble, move awkwardly, claw one's way;
shin;
scale, ascend, mount;
North American shinny
noun
An awkward and laborious climb or movement: a clamber up the cliff path...
- A final clamber led to cliff where we could look out to the open sea.
- It is worth making a short detour to the shore where, after a tricky clamber, you can explore natural arches.
- Any remnant of infant energy can be exhausted on a clamber over rustic playground structures.
Origin
Middle English: probably from clamb, obsolete past tense of climb.