1
as in massive
having great weight
this trunk full of books is much too heavy for one person to lift
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in greasy
containing much seasoning, fat, or sugar
avoid heavy desserts like cheesecake and pecan pie
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
heavy skies threatening rain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in harsh
difficult to endure
they paid a heavy price for their mistakes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in intensive
extreme in degree, power, or effect
heavy rains the company is forecasting heavy losses this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in serious
having a matter of importance as its topic
got into a heavy discussion about death and the afterlife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
until we find our groove, it's going to be heavy sledding on this project
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in powerful
having great power or influence
she's not among the handful of heavy critics who can make or break a Broadway show
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body
the heifer was heavy with young and soon would be birthing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in brute
a mean, evil, or unprincipled person
he played the heavy in film after film until being cast against type as the romantic lead in a comedy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
in the field of secondary education, she definitely ranks as one of the heavies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Some still vividly recall the heavy, thick pall of smoke that drifted through the entire region, fed by furious wildfires to the east and north.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2025
However, a combination of tariffs, inflation and narrow GDP growth kept the tech-heavy S & P 500 in the lead over the Russell 2000.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy
Adjective
Solarize large areas with thick, clear painter’s tarps and spread heavy objects along the edges to trap the heat.
—Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2026
Some still vividly recall the heavy, thick pall of smoke that drifted through the entire region, fed by furious wildfires to the east and north.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Dark Ages gave us an extremely metal prequel that — while a bit too lore and cutscene-heavy — presented more surprising tricks and gameplay refreshes to keep the long-running FPS series alive and kicking butt.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 26 Dec. 2025
However, a combination of tariffs, inflation and narrow GDP growth kept the tech-heavy S & P 500 in the lead over the Russell 2000.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
-
The figures came as investors appear increasingly anxious about both the demand for AI amid massive spending from tech giants, and how the tech’s widespread use could upend industries like software.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The effort comes after claims of fraud involving day care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown in the Midwestern city, resulting in widespread protests.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But that boost also didn’t last long – 2025 was marked mostly by Russia’s slow, grinding offensive along the 1,200-kilometer-long frontline.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Implementing peace deals is notoriously difficult, so slow progress can be expected.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Water Temperature Matters Using cold water to wash dishes is ineffective, potentially leaving a greasy film that traps food particles and bacteria.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Here’s how to clean your air fryer with vinegar to finally get rid of that greasy residue.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The laws around songs being used at political rallies are hazy and realistically the most a musician or songwriter can do is demand for the use to cease, although the user in question seems to be under little legal obligation to comply.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
-
That all of this is set around a rather hazy, cataclysmic time that gets relegated to the side lends it even more of a haunting power that grabs hold of you.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The scene, however, of Myers skating around for warmups and enjoying some time with his family underscored the harsh realities of trade deadline season for the players — and the families — directly involved.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
While many ground covers are resilient and can thrive in harsh growing conditions, such as areas with full sun and dry soil, environments that are overly damp and soggy can be tricky for certain ground covers.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These calculations are computationally intensive and only recently became feasible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Modernizing manufacturing and automating industry will be energy-intensive.—
Stuart Loren,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The deputy, whose name has not been released, was hospitalized with serious injuries, the sheriff's office said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
-
This was perhaps their most worthy defensive performance of the year against a serious team.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But having dodged the traps of the social media news era, The Economist now faces looming long-term structural challenges that may be more difficult to avoid.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Frontflips are generally more difficult than backflips for both humans and robots.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
