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
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
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Recent Examples of heavy
Adjective
The refinery was initially planned to be built in Tanzania’s coastal town of Tanga, but Dangote said it was later determined that Lamu had deeper waters, solid ground capable of supporting the heavy equipment, and deep-sea access.—
Evelyne Musambi,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2026 Water from the storm surge and heavy rain filled streets and surrounded homes as near-hurricane-force winds knocked out power.—
Brian Tang,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2026
Noun
Mehring’s characters include petty criminals, unscrupulous lawyers, Galician Jews, Freikorps heavies, local and international businessmen, Prussian generals, and the everyday citizens inhabiting the streets of Berlin’s old and rather dingy center.—Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2026 At the same time, Benz noted, retirees don't want a mainly stock-heavy portfolio that would mean your only option would be to sell stocks during a longer downturn.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Because mRNA technology bypasses the slow process of growing viruses in eggs, mRNA manufacturing allows for later influenza strain selection and fast production, unlike traditional vaccines.
—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
2 Oct. 2026
After his sudden death in 1960, Olivetti began a slow decline and was eventually broken up and merged with a telecommunications company.
The oil itself applies with a buttery glide, absorbs in five seconds, and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy.
—
Olivia Cigliano,
InStyle,
27 Sep. 2026
The formula pairs urea with moisturizing and barrier-supporting ingredients in a rich cream that softens dry hands and cuticles without leaving behind a greasy finish.
At research-intensive institutions, critical knowledge is often distributed across specialized offices, sponsor websites, internal guidance, prior submissions and experienced staff.
—
Mayank Kejriwal,
Forbes.com,
1 Oct. 2026
Removing the thermal drying stage could also make electrode manufacturing less capital- and energy-intensive.
Doctors of podiatric medicine (DPMs) treat all foot conditions ranging from toenails, bunions, fractures, and plantar fasciitis to serious diabetic foot complications that can lead to limb amputation.
—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2026
What began as a hobby to help explain complex redistricting cases more effectively has grown into a serious media operation.
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