heavy-duty

adjective

heavy-du·​ty ˈhe-vē-ˈdü-tē 

-ˈdyü-

1

: able or designed to withstand unusual strain

heavy-duty trucks

2

: intensive

heavy-duty bargaining

3

: important, prominent

heavy-duty lawyers

Synonyms

• acute
• almighty
• blistering
• deep
• dreadful
• excruciating
• explosive
• exquisite
• fearful
• fearsome
• ferocious
• fierce
• frightful
• furious
• ghastly
• hard
• heavy
• hellacious
• intense
• intensive
• keen
• profound
• terrible
• vehement
• vicious
• violent

Examples of heavy-duty in a Sentence

some heavy-duty lobbying on the part of the president was necessary in order to get the bill passed

a group of heavy-duty politicians and other notables attended the gala

Recent Examples on the Web

The sale of new electric trucks, buses and vans in California doubled in 2023 over the previous year and one of every six medium and heavy-duty vehicles sold in the state produce zero carbon emissions, according to new state data. —Ari Plachta, Sacramento Bee, 6 June 2024

The trawler was allegedly carrying out scallop fishing, which involves dredging the sea bed with heavy-duty metal frame nets, when it is said to have clipped Virgin’s cable in January 2015. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Europe, 5 June 2024

The atmosphere felt a bit like summer camp for adults, a little wilderness expedition-meets-vacation, complete with DIY meal kits ready to be cooked up on our heavy-duty outdoor kitchen. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 June 2024

Keep in Mind The 12-volt battery might not be powerful enough for heavy-duty tasks. —Sarah Halverson, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

heavy-duty

adjective

heavy-du·​ty

ˌhev-ē-ˈd(y)üt-ē

: able or designed to take hard use or great strain

heavy-duty vehicles