heavy-duty

adjective

heavy-du·​ty ˈhe-vē-ˈdü-tē 

-ˈdyü-

1

: able or designed to withstand unusual strain

heavy-duty trucks

2

: intensive

heavy-duty bargaining

3

: important, prominent

heavy-duty lawyers

Synonyms

• acute
• almighty
• blistering
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• explosive
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

Examples of heavy-duty in a Sentence

some heavy-duty lobbying on the part of the president was necessary in order to get the bill passed

a group of heavy-duty politicians and other notables attended the gala

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pioneer Woman 3-Piece Enamel on Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids $15 at Walmart The bowls are made from heavy-duty stainless steel that’s coated in colorful enamel. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025

Plenty of blood is spilled in some heavy-duty action pieces in the series opener, but there’s also an emphasis on character development that leans into the husband-wife dynamics of the main protagonists. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025

The heavy-duty pump aboard the duck was designed to bail water fast enough to counter an artillery shell hit. —The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 25 Feb. 2025

For heavy-duty cleaning, consider wearing gloves and an N95 mask. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heavy-duty

• beauty
• booty
• cutie
• duty
• fruity
• putti
• snooty
• sooty
• sruti
• tutti

Kids Definition

heavy-duty

adjective

heavy-du·​ty

ˌhev-ē-ˈd(y)üt-ē

: able or designed to take hard use or great strain

heavy-duty vehicles