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
Last year, Speicher conceived a novel way to help teens on the reservation: sharing his love of heavy music. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025 In October, Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded a heavy police clampdown called Operation Restore Roosevelt, which consisted of more than 200 additional police officers that reduced crime by 29% in the area, Daughtry said. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
At the same time, more of Richie's heavies arrive at the safe house. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025 Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies. EW.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • Salesforce makes its own platform sticker, and your SaaS tool gets access to the massive Salesforce ecosystem.
    Bihag Karnani, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Washington’s foreign aid cuts could lead to an additional 14 million deaths by 2030 as countries scramble to make up for the sudden, massive shortfall.
    Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Forecasters at the National Weather Service said there was the potential for additional catastrophic flooding and heavy rainfall in the region throughout Saturday, given the storm’s slow craw across the state.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Even though we've all been told gray is on its way out for quite some time, it's been a slow burn.
    Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • The serum for greasy skin has salicylic acid; for pigmentation has niacinamide; for first signs of aging has bakuchiol, and for advanced signs of aging has retinol, at 0.3 percent.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
  • The wrenches are made of S2 grade steel with a grippy rubber coating meant to provide purchase for greasy hands.
    Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • How this all will ultimately lead to world-building applications is hazy—and that’s part of the point.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 July 2025
  • Crazy Norse is a 6.8% ABV hazy/New England IPA brewed in honor of Northern Kentucky University.
    Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • The biggest change was the introduction of the punitive second apron, which imposed harsh team-building restrictions on teams that crossed said line.
    Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • Unlike harsher retinoids, this one is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Oftentimes, enrolling in an intensive language program qualifies someone for a student visa, depending on the requirements of that country (more on that later).
    Chloe Arrojado, AFAR Media, 27 June 2025
  • Designed to withstand intensive training, Lacoste’s abrasion-resistant piqué fabric is made with Ultra Dry moisture-wicking technology for more breathable wear.
    Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The report cited Biden's sleep apnea treatment and stiffened gait from arthritis, but mentioned no serious ailments.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • The restaurant was temporarily closed by the city for multiple serious health violations, including a malfunctioning refrigerator and freezer, mold growth and food buildup on kitchen equipment.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • Our models and expertise can sniff out the broad parameters, but the precise location and timing of moisture plumes, training (quasi-stationary rain cells), and forcing mechanism can be difficult.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 15 Jul. 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!