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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
On Saturday, Curacao, a heavy underdog to Ecuador, rode a hot goalkeeper to a 0-0 draw, notching the first point for the island nation in its World Cup debut. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026 Even celebrities like Nicole Kidman have been spotted embracing this luxe trend, proving its status as a sleek alternative to chunky athletic shoes that feel heavy and overly bulky on the move. Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026
Noun
According to my mom, allowing the product to sit on these surfaces makes cleaning much less scrubbing-heavy, which is a win in her book. Aliyah Rodriguez, The Spruce, 27 May 2026 Essentially, those who already coached ‘big club’ football — high pressing, possession-heavy — tend to perform quite well. Michael Cox, New York Times, 25 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • The country also has made a massive push to switch to electric vehicles, which reduced Chinese oil consumption by 1 million barrels per day, the International Energy Agency estimates.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 25 June 2026
  • The brand is celebrating Prime Day with massive markdowns on its latest and greatest electronics like the Apple Watch SE 3, the AirPods Pro 3, and the 2026 MacBook Air laptop.
    Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • What to expect over the weekend Though Friday was expected to be the slowest day of the competition, the atmosphere at Cal Expo was anything but dull.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 27 June 2026
  • Some residents are calling for civilian volunteers to help clear debris, frustrated by the slow pace of the rescue operations.
    Osmary Hernández, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Drake gets greasy over Tay Keith’s crisp, hard-hitting drum patterns.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 June 2026
  • The lightweight formula is infused with fermented saururus, kukui oil, cacay oil, and squalane to soften, soothe, and deeply hydrate without leaving behind a greasy feel.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • In the private ward in the maternity wing, everything is quiet, all the surfaces immaculate and clean as if nothing at all has happened, your mother still hazy with the blur of oxytocin and carbetocin, staring out the open window.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Plant magnolias somewhere they will be protected from harsh winds, especially when buds or flowers are developing.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 25 June 2026
  • Most clarifying shampoos tend to be a little harsh and drying, but this one is gentle and nourishing.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Housed in remote data centers whose energy-intensive maintenance perpetuates the changing environmental conditions that threaten Tuvalu’s existence, the attempt to redeposit territory digitally drives home the paradoxes, and costs, of storage.
    Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
  • Qatari mediators returned to the Iranian capital for 17 hours of what the diplomat described as intensive negotiations.
    E. Eduardo Castillo, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • What Research Shows About Cancer in Dogs While there is no evidence that turkey tail shrinks tumors, the mushroom has drawn real scientific interest as a complementary therapy for serious illness.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026
  • The new guidance was heavily criticized by health groups, which argued the decision could sow confusion and leave children vulnerable to serious disease.
    Joe Walsh, CBS News, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Some organizers say America's complicated and at times difficult history is being glossed over by fireworks and flag-waving ‒ or that it's being politicized by an administration that has actively worked to advance its version of history.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • The move gives Marte another chance to work his way back to the major leagues after a difficult stretch that included a brief stop with the Cincinnati Reds organization earlier this year before a cut.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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