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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
When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026 To avoid scratches, don’t slide heavy pots across the surface—pick them up and move them instead. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
There is going to be a special burgundy-heavy edition of the book. Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025 If the Rockets go big-heavy often, Reed Sheppard loses some shine. Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • If a carrier were to run out of money in the event of a massive earthquake, the California Insurance Guarantee Association would chip in the money to cover any outstanding claims.
    Kristine Lazar, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
  • The multi-hyphenate paired the slouchy, pocketed sweater with a fabulously massive fur scarf and a pair of shiny white pants.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Traditional humanoid robots depend heavily on data collected by human operators, which is slow and expensive.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Her days were slow and intentional.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Without ample powder, Hudson’s look could’ve appeared greasy or sweaty.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Pathways made in dusty areas along baseboards and greasy streaks along walls and floors can indicate paths mice are using in your home.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Thanks to a new TikTok hazy purple-blue filter inspired by the year, 2016 is suddenly all the rage.
    Meg Walters, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Its narrator performs a hazy nonchalance toward death and redemption.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Cisco positions the same rugged networking technology used in Parkie for other harsh environments, including factories, logistics hubs, and outdoor industrial sites.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Fabrics that aren't made for harsh weather conditions, especially cotton and linen, are prone to absorbing moisture, causing mold, mildew, and water stains.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Bringing that experience to the screen required intensive work with the film’s young leads, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa.
    Kennedy French, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
  • When Indiana decided to build a water-intensive tech park in Lebanon — a city unable to provide the resource itself — the question of how the area would get water was inevitable.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Yoon still faces a trial over the most serious charge against him on accusations of insurrection, multiple sources reported.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2026
  • In addition to the three residents who were hospitalized, three PG&E workers suffered less serious injuries, according to the report.
    Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Business leaders, of course, have their own interests and shareholders to serve, but Democrats can still protect the public interest while giving CEOs a seat at the table to reach pragmatic answers to difficult questions like these.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Activist groups say hundreds of people have been killed, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the internet blackout and tight state controls on information.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.

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