heavy lifting

noun

Synonyms of heavy liftingnext
: a burdensome or laborious duty

Examples of heavy lifting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Designed by Sam Burch Architects, the house takes a familiar Mediterranean look and pares it back, using the natural setting to do alot of the heavy lifting. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2026 This step will do most of the heavy lifting for you, making those that follow both easier and more effective. Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 Apr. 2026 Building a vacation wardrobe doesn't have to mean hours of scrolling through endless product pages, because Amazon has quietly launched a warm-weather getaway storefront that does all the heavy lifting for you. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026 Jocelyn Briski picked up the win for Alabama (34-3, 8-3), but freshman Vic Moten did the heavy lifting by allowing just three hits in 5⅓ innings in two separate stints. Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy lifting

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavy lifting was in 1980

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heavy lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy%20lifting. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on heavy lifting

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster