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Definition of heavynext
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as in slow
causing weariness, restlessness, or lack of interest the study of history doesn't have to be all about dull heavy reading and the memorization of dates

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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heavy

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective heavy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of heavy are cumbersome, cumbrous, ponderous, and weighty. While all these words mean "having great weight," heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

How are the words cumbrous and cumbersome related as synonyms of heavy?

Both cumbrous and cumbersome imply heaviness and bulkiness that make for difficulty in grasping, moving, carrying, or manipulating.

wrestled with the cumbrous furniture
early cameras were cumbersome and inconvenient

When could ponderous be used to replace heavy?

The meanings of ponderous and heavy largely overlap; however, ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

Where would weighty be a reasonable alternative to heavy?

In some situations, the words weighty and heavy are roughly equivalent. However, weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of heavy
Adjective
Police video showed the dramatic rescue of an infant from a car trapped in floodwaters in southern Texas on Saturday, after the driver of the vehicle entered a creek crossing that had become inundated by heavy rain. Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 24 May 2026 However, Prime members do receive fast shipping on all orders, which is beneficial for heavy items like pet food and cat litter. Jessica Moore, USA Today, 24 May 2026
Noun
Laser writes energy circuits Unlike conventional energy storage devices that rely on synthetic materials and chemical-heavy processes, this method uses a natural substrate and a single-step fabrication process. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026 Fort Worth’s luxury Bowie House hotel opened with a beef-heavy menu. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • Right-back was a massive headache, with midfielders Dominik Szoboszlai and Jones both played out of position there.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • In the end, efforts to cool the crippled tank by spraying water on it were believed to have helped slow down the reaction enough to prevent an explosion or massive rupture in the tank that could have sent toxic chemicals flowing into waterways and the ocean.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Recovery of the bodies has been slow because of the chemicals and other hazards present at the site, Amos explained.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
  • One of the most painful things about this disease is knowing that promising treatments are emerging, but funding barriers and manufacturing and procedural slow-downs continue to derail progress.
    Elise Esposito, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • The result is a flattering second-skin finish that provides hydration without feeling greasy or heavy.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 24 May 2026
  • Despite all that moisture, the fragrance-free formula sinks in quickly without feeling greasy, so you won’t be stuck waiting around before moving on to the rest of your makeup routine.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • But whereas that world could be characterized, at times, by macho one-upmanship that felt almost bloodthirsty, Esperantists like Jurobola were committed to a hazy vision of peace.
    Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
  • The company’s flagship hazy IPA, Chug, recently won gold at the 2026 World Beer Cup, often described as the ‘Olympics of Beer,’ strengthening Mash Gang’s reputation for taste and quality at a time when many consumers still associate non-alcoholic beer with inferior flavor.
    Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • The table tells a harsher story.
    Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
  • The girls’ mother, who traveled to appear in court Thursday with Doe 8, called for a harsh punishment and described how O’Connor, once in Idaho, helped sneak out Doe 8 to see her son, at one point provided them a hotel room.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • For Paul, dragging long sheets of metal was intensive.
    Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026
  • Distillation is a process in which a small, less resource-intensive model learns to mimic a large, expensive one.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • And that came in the guise of a serious illness that threatens — but then ends up solidifying — the unbreakable bond between Deborah (Jean Smart) and her protégé, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), something that has been built up over the course of five seasons.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 May 2026
  • This is caused by a variety of factors, some more serious than others.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Building the program had proved difficult.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
  • Sindcom 14-Piece Food Storage Containers Set The pantry is one of the most difficult places to organize thanks to boxes of cereal, pasta, baking ingredients, and more scattered about.
    Kelsey Fredricks, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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