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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In 2015, David Bessinger, the son of founder Melvin Bessinger, made the weighty decision to install new pits and return to his family’s wood-cooking roots, and that change made all the difference. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025 The weighty Guerlain Rouge G case comes in a wide variety of fabrics, colors, and textures—glossy tortoiseshell, embossed gold, glittering crystals—that house one of the most luxurious lipstick formulas on the market. Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 On the limited series front, Netflix’s weighty crime drama Adolescence dominated with six total awards, including Best Limited or Anthology Series, Best Actor (Stephen Graham), Best Supporting Actor (Owen Cooper), Best Supporting Actress (Erin Doherty), Best Directing, and Best Writing. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025 For many in between, the lawsuits introduce weighty questions about accountability—corporate and otherwise. Justin Worland, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weighty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weighty
Adjective
  • Roundabouts help eliminate the types of crashes more likely to cause serious injuries or death.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The production came just in time to help the Angels (72-88) put a serious dent in the Astros’ chances of going to the playoffs.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Of those who responded to our informal survey, 53% said love is more important.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Tire tread depth - Checking your tire tread before hitting the road is important, as low or no tread can lead to sliding.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His singles are custom-made for arenas, with massive, cheery choruses reminiscent of peak ’80s MTV.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Marshall fire victims who joined the massive lawsuit against Xcel Energy are expected to receive their portion of the $640 million settlement before the end of the year, but the amount of money each plaintiff receives will not be publicly disclosed.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The lighthearted juxtaposition of Vessel’s stage presence with the moody and solemn nature of Sleep Token’s music served as a good reminder that, even apart from all the lore, this is just a really solid rock band with songs that pack a heavy punch when performed live.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The archetype is, of course, familiar—but Hawke imbues each of these characters with infectious zeal and a solemn, even sacred, severity.
    Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Both continents coexist and compete to produce the most influential companies in financial technology, though the paths taken and outcomes achieved often vary widely.
    Aman Ghei, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
  • One of the most influential figures in cocktail history is David Embury, author of The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Some researchers also point to major gaps in accountability.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025
  • And here, roundabouts make a major difference because drivers don’t turn left in front of oncoming traffic.
    Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The wave was expected to move west-northwestward at around 15 to 20 miles per hour, bringing heavy rain and winds to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • The Cowboys’ zone-heavy defense under new coordinator Matt Eberflus has given up far too many explosive plays in the passing game over the past two weeks.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That led Judge Cannon to temporarily halt the proceedings and issue Routh a stern warning.
    Greg Allen, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
  • High-profile stars and politicians of all creeds have been up in arms and ABC owner Disney has come in for particularly stern criticism over the very live situation.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weighty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weighty. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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