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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

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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 heavy
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 heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • The 1984 Games were also privately funded and hailed as a massive success for their $225 million surplus that was invested in youth sports.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Food vendors sizzled meats at vendor stalls and kept juices in massive, unlabeled canisters under the gritty subway underpass – devoid of any labels or apparent sanitation or health and safety standards.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the retirement of highly successful Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, the transition to Vulcan has been slow and continues to impact the completion of Space Force mission objectives.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 May 2025
  • Here in Croatia, the pace of life is slower, especially in smaller towns.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 May 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
  • Though famous for its hazy IPAs, Outer Range has stepped up its game in lagers, pilsners, stouts, saisons and Belgians.
    Shauna Farnell, Denver Post, 27 May 2025
  • The potential July trade market for relievers is hazy.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Netflix released the trailer for the reality TV show on YouTube on Wednesday, which starts with a voice-over of a cheerleader talking about how the DCC will always be in each other’s lives before explaining the harsh reality of trying out to be a Cowboys cheerleader with all the talent.
    Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 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
  • But the fact that Schwartzman, in his first film, was given the difficult task of stealing laughs away from a comedy legend, and so often succeeds in doing so, gives him the slight edge.
    Shannon Carlin, Time, 30 May 2025
  • Dietary fat can be difficult to digest and may cause more irritation and pain.
    Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

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