WEIGHTY Synonyms: 220 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'weighty' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weighty are cumbersome , cumbrous , heavy , and ponderous . While all these words mean "having great weight," weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight. // a load of weighty boxes

Q: How are the words 'cumbrous' and 'cumbersome' related as synonyms of 'weighty'?

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

Q: When can 'heavy' be used instead of 'weighty'?

In some situations, the words heavy and weighty are roughly equivalent. However, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class. // a heavy child for his age

Q: When might 'ponderous' be a better fit than 'weighty'?

The synonyms ponderous and weighty are sometimes interchangeable, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia. // ponderous elephants in a circus parade

weighty

adjective

ˈwā-tē

Definition of weighty next

as in serious

having a matter of importance as its topic interrupted a weighty discussion with a silly question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in important

having great meaning or lasting effect choosing a college is a weighty decision

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in massive

having great weight lifted the weighty sack and wondered what was in it

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as in solemn

not joking or playful in mood or manner the police office looked at me with a rather weighty expression

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as in influential

having power over the minds or behavior of others one of the weightiest figures in the field of pediatric medicine

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weighty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weighty are cumbersome, cumbrous, heavy, and ponderous. While all these words mean "having great weight," weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

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

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 can heavy be used instead of weighty?

In some situations, the words heavy and weighty are roughly equivalent. However, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When might ponderous be a better fit than weighty?

The synonyms ponderous and weighty are sometimes interchangeable, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

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 weighty Popular on Variety The film aims to balance its weighty themes with moments of levity. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024 The effort to learn new patterns of thinking and behaving, and even making efforts to move to different life circumstances, is frankly beyond most people (otherwise New Year’s resolutions would have the world more sober, healthier, less weighty and much more loving). —

Dave Winsborough, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 What makes Nolan’s treatment of these weighty themes remarkable is his insistence on tackling them through the lens of mass-market entertainment rather than niche documentary. —

Bryan Walsh, Vox, 21 Nov. 2024 While casual belts made from weighty leathers like bridle or pull-up are typically left unlined, finer hides used for dress belts including calfskin often require a lining. —

Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for weighty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weighty

Adjective

Try to limit work overloads and avoid any more serious injuries.

— Art de Roché, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
Paramedics took him to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to be treated for serious injuries.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025