heaviness 1 of 3

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as in weight
the amount that something weighs the numbers on the back of each sample indicate the heaviness of the carpeting material

Synonyms & Similar Words

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heavy

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adjective

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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 (2)

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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 heaviness
Adjective
The system presents kind of a mixed bag for coastal residents, with a forecast for potentially heavy rain regardless of what happens. Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 June 2025 Tomato plants are heavy feeders, but too much nitrogen early in the season will promote big leafy plants with few fruits. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 June 2025
Noun
On Twin Peaks, Strong plays Jones, the right-hand woman for one of the series’ heavies. Drew MacKie, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 And if nothing else, there’s always the heavies to fall back on. Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heaviness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heaviness
Adjective
  • DeBlois dials the cuteness quotient back somewhat while giving this massive animal a genuine presence.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • While riggers hung massive lights and construction workers assembled the stage on a grueling day before Tyler Childers‘ June 2024 concert at the United Center, three young locals showed up: Cheryl, Larry and Ted.
    Steve Knopper, Billboard, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Strain into a highball glass, while simultaneously adding the club soda together in one slow stream to achieve the fluffy, towering fizz.
    Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • And while the Canadian industry made early gains to close a gender gap in the film and TV industry, making strides in advancing and promoting talent from underrepresented Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities has been slower and more incremental.
    Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • This helps keep the finished dish from being too greasy.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2025
  • The lightweight gel texture feels like a refreshing glass of water upon application, instantly cooling and reviving the skin without leaving it greasy.
    Denise Primbet, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • This week, hazy skies are reminiscent of the intense Canadian wildfires of 2023, which made Chicago the second-most-polluted major city in the country that year.
    Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
  • And some apps actively blur the already hazy line between betting and other financial activities.
    Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • From growing up in the streets of Kansas City to serving jail time, Gilliam shared how rapping about his harsh experiences has made fans love him.
    Ramal Nasim, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025
  • Instead of internalising every harsh comment, try reframing it as information about their inner world rather than a reflection of your worth.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ware picked up all the cases while on intensive supervised release after serving three years and three months for aiding and abetting first-degree robbery out of Hennepin County.
    Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 6 June 2025
  • Russia used a Tu-160 in intensive overnight missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, Kyiv's air force said on Friday.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • There were no serious injuries reported or arrests made among the crowd of about 500 teenagers.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • Nobody else can do what Isak does, but Newcastle lack serious backup at centre-forward.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • No matter how sweet, the little crocodile grows bigger and more difficult to care for.
    Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 June 2025
  • Despite her risky gambit, Metcalfe, who is studying to be an attorney at the University of Law in Manchester, England, admits that her sport has helped her through some of the most difficult times of her life.
    Andy Frye, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heaviness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heaviness. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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