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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
Human bodies were like animals’ The few medical instruments of the revolutionary era were heavy in the hand, awkward in use and imprecise to maneuver. Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Johnson’s presence means the Mavericks will have the option of playing a switch-heavy defensive scheme, while the addition of Aldama will allow Dallas to go to a five-out look on offense. Christian Clark, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Noun
The morning meal is becoming the most protein-heavy of the day in many homes, a notable change from the carb-forward cereals and pastries that once defined the American breakfast table. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 Even the tech-heavy Nasdaq made it into positive territory. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • Atlanta Braves at Truist Park A massive Braves block party will take place in Truist Park on Saturday, with flyovers, baseball, fireworks and more.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Artist Stan Herd created a massive quarter-acre Algerian flag earthwork near the Lied Center on west campus.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 July 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
  • Often, firming lotions are thick and leave a white cast, but this Olay option, which more than 30,000 buyers have picked up in the past month alone, is lightweight, non-greasy, and absorbs quickly.
    Claire West, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • On June 18, a similar cloud rose from the Moscow Oil Refinery on the outskirts of the capital, sending greasy black droplets raining down.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Nearly everyone knows the Boston Tea Party; many can summon at least a hazy memory of the Stamp Act or the Townshend duties.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • That could result in a slightly muted sky and a softer, hazier sun angle through the afternoon, though surface visibility impacts should remain limited.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 29 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
  • The jockeys take on months of intensive training in order to ride in the Ladies’ Race.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 July 2026
  • On the flip side, semiconductor manufacturing is one of the most complex and energy-intensive industrial processes in the world, with emissions projected to reach 277 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Prosecutors said Anthony Edmond and Rafael Enriquez face the most serious charges, including conspiracy involving firearms trafficking, machineguns and drug trafficking.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Aviation experts said those conditions would have been difficult to navigate that evening when the helicopter, a Robinson R66, crashed in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area.
    Caroline Silva, AJC.com, 29 June 2026
  • But traffic on the waterway remains a fraction of pre-war levels with different authorities vying to organize the transit of vessels, leaving operators with a difficult choice over which path to take.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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