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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
The push accelerated in the 1990s with heavy subsidies. Chris Lau, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 The airline collapsed after the jet fuel crisis added to its longstanding issues, including heavy debt loads and a surge in costs. Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Noun
Fort Worth’s luxury Bowie House hotel opened with a beef-heavy menu. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026 The Nuggets don’t need Jokic to play the heavy in the locker room. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • The Sun managed to hang with the Aces for a half despite the massive experience gap between the teams, but the young squad fell apart late in its 98-69 loss at Mohegan Sun Arena.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026
  • The outlet consistently awards UCSB the top spot for its massive social scene, access to bars and Greek life.
    Bethany Brown, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Pool service can be a bit slow during busy times, but once your perfectly prepared daiquiri arrives, all is forgiven.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 May 2026
  • So future agreements could involve cooler normalisation, selective security cooperation, quieter diplomacy and a slower expansion.
    Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The menu was a list of greasy-spoon breakfasts and gut-bomb lunches.
    Michael Deeds Updated May 14, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2026
  • These tips can help keep your fridge door handles free from greasy fingerprints, mystery grime, and everyday kitchen messes.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • But its geological origins are hazy.
    Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
  • Even if my archive was unverifiable or incongruous, the hazy, contradictory landscape of Goodman’s life was the truth of her existence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • The scheme has been so successful, law enforcement has created a joint FBI-National Security Division task force to disrupt the operations and have dealt a series of harsh prison terms to American accomplices who have willingly aided the North Koreans.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 14 May 2026
  • To fully embody her OnlyFans persona, an earthside alien named The Hungry Ghost, who offers mild nudity and harsh criticism of her willing subscribers’ genitalia.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • Rice University’s Kinder Institute study found that newcomer students in the kindergarten through fifth grade age range who are eligible for intensive newcomer English programs experience a measurable academic boost, lasting up to three years after eligibility.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
  • And it is currently made, almost everywhere in the world, through a process that is energy-intensive, waste-heavy, and engineered for an environment with almost no environmental regulation.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • The number of teams and bowls involved could shift as discussions become more serious.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 May 2026
  • The announcement comes amid growing scrutiny over e-bikes and e-motorcycles across Southern California following several serious and fatal crashes involving young riders.
    Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Adjective
  • When Thomson went through a difficult divorce, in 2014, Djena would often check in on her, showing up at her door with food.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Crow-Armstrong had just failed to make a highly difficult, leaping catch at the wall.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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