heavy 1 of 2

1
2
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

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

heavy

2 of 2

noun

1
2

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
These businesses offer a practical starting point for entrepreneurs who want to create value without heavy upfront investment. Mohan Kumar, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 The 30- and 40-ounce tumblers have a base diameter of 3.15 inches, but the 40-ounce size is slightly heavier (1.4 pounds vs. 1.1 pounds). Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
The 6 foot 5 inch Lister made an indelible impression as Deebo, the bicycle-riding neighborhood heavy who terrorizes Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in the comedy Friday (1995). Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025 Not without consequence, of course, and not just from New York heavies—in his years of flouting the conventions of etiquette in the bush, around animals, whether while making images or just out wandering, Peter was not entirely unscathed. Chris Wallace, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • The environmental policy pivot by the Trump administration also has massive implications for the country’s ability to compete in the fast-growing global market for clean energy.
    Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The Canucks had reeled off a couple of massive wins to leapfrog the Calgary Flames and reclaim the final wild-card spot.
    Harman Dayal, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Keeling had discovered what became known as the Keeling Curve – the slow rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that was causing global warming.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Brandon Bell/Getty Images/Getty Images North America Consumer spending has softened so far this year, however, which could lead to slower economic growth.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Brown suggests creating a paste with equal parts activated charcoal powder and water before spreading it over the greasy surface.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Among the roster of holidaymakers is Rick, a greasy misanthrope played by Walton Goggins, and his significantly younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a fun, flirty babe whose perpetual good mood is at complete odds with her partner.
    Olivia Petter, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Thin lines and hazy glowing colors make the towering, randomized geometric structures look like something from a French comic book.
    PCMAG, PCMAG, 16 Mar. 2025
  • In the late 1970s, Saturn’s odd moon Titan, a hazy orange world, was expecting visitors — first, NASA’s Pioneer 11 probe, then the twin Voyager spacecraft.
    Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nestled within denser parts of the clouds, the water would have been protected from being destroyed by harsh radiation from nearby stars, Latif said.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Smith isn’t alone in that sentiment, as other analysts and critics have shared his harsh review of Bronny’s performance in the NBA.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Finding and synthesizing that data would be both labor intensive and expensive for the district to do itself.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Our only leverage were the ongoing national-level intensive negotiations over the NAFTA environmental side-accords.
    Serge Dedina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Is Google finally getting serious about Android gaming?
    Ryan Whitwam, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Equip yourself with these guidelines from the NWS to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards: Beware of rapid water flow: During heavy rain, avoid playing near culverts or drainage ditches, where swift-moving water can pose a serious risk.
    Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • As college sports continues its rapid professionalization, the ACC is in a difficult spot.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination.
    Joel Shannon, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heavy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!