heavy 1 of 2

1
2
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

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

heavy

2 of 2

noun

1
2

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
On Tuesday afternoon, heavy machinery — two yellow excavators — were at work filling buckets of the remains of those homes, dropping them into trucks to be hauled away. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025 Only problem was, the stars no longer shone, and the smell of impending rain was heavy in the air. Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
The other students find the burden of imperfect English heavy. Jesse Green, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025 Another Hollywood heavy was Marlon Brando, who gave Jackson acting advice. Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • In Season 1, Cassian was part of a massive prison break and an insurrection against Imperial forces in his home of Ferrix.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • This year, the Compton Cowboys are headed to Stagecoach, the massive country music festival in Indio.
    Jasmine Desiree, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The company reaffirmed plans to launch an affordable model in early 2025, but warned the production ramp could be slower than expected.
    Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Solutions other than the pipeline are also slow and expensive.
    Brett Watson, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Between dealing with clogged pores, breakouts, and greasy skin, some prefer to avoid the skincare product at all costs.
    Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 29 Apr. 2025
  • New Yorkers are now required to deposit any compostable household waste—food scraps, yard debris, and greasy paper products, such as pizza boxes—in bins marked for compost.
    Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The reasons for her travels—whether to marry a man at her father’s behest or to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome—are hazy.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The details of the bet have become hazy in the intervening 35 years.
    Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This recent New York Times piece highlights some of the harsh realities along with the misperceptions.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Wash your hair gently, moisturize regularly with scalp-friendly products, and avoid scratching or harsh brushing.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Historically, Google has had a less intensive quality control processes than Apple which has meant more low-end apps make it through to the storefront.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
  • For now, these lands could be converted to intensive residential, commercial or industrial development.
    Reed Frederick Noss, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But legal experts said a criminal contempt finding would be a serious step to be avoided.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Emergency personnel transported the injured person to a nearby trauma center with serious injuries, officials said.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Whitecaps won games in Mexico, which is difficult to do.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The task for Denver tonight will be that much more difficult if Michael Porter Jr. (shoulder) is unavailable or limited.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on heavy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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