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
New Mexico is preparing for another day of possibly life-threatening floods throughout most of the state after receiving multiple rounds of heavy monsoon rain since Tuesday. — Megan Fahrney, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026 Unlike the heavy touring schedule the Beach Boys have stuck to over the past six decades, the plan for the remainder of this year was light. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
Noun
The research process for the science-heavy book was also fruitful, with Benjamin shadowing scientists studying fungi and attending a women’s mushroom conference. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 The album also features cameos by heavies from Gojira, Lamb of God, Queens of the Stone Age, and Clutch. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • After a handful of ownership changes throughout the decades, the hotel underwent a massive renovation and reopened in December 2023 as the Mandarin Oriental Savoy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The chain had blamed the decline on launching too many promotions, plus inadequate customer service and its massive World Cup promotion failing to attract eaters.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The slowest can count roughly 500 bills a minute, or about eight bills a second, while the fastest can count 2,000-plus bills a minute, or about 33-plus bills a second.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Heading south on Highway 395, a must do is slow down and take the June Lake Loop which is a riot of fall colors.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • After running the gauntlet of crash barriers and hordes of fans, guests were treated to salty French fries and greasy burgers, with gin tonics and martinis to quench their thirst.
    — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Finally, buff off the excess oil with a clean, dry cloth until the surface no longer feels greasy or oily.
    — Emily Hayes, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That entails having reachable but firm and clear expectations that both students and teachers can strive towards, not hazy objectives.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Ride Lonesome is amorphous, hazy, dappled, and almost impossibly pretty.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The video, and Ovechkin’s subsequent statements, have sparked harsh criticism in Europe, the United States and Canada, which is part of the NHL.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Beyond biological and nuclear threats, AI companies face harsh organizational incentives to develop AI even faster and — experts say — more recklessly.
    — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The process needed to refine diesel is more intensive, however.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Currently, more intensive solutions like a replacement are likely better for people at more advanced stages.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The man was in serious but stable condition at a hospital after being shot once in the torso on the capital city's north side, Austin officials said at a news conference.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • If the issues being talked about weren’t so serious, declaring that machines are now smarter than humans, given this glaring gap between AI agents and their principals, would be a fun keynote for the next AI summit.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The outbreak is spreading under extremely difficult conditions, fueled by insecurity, displacement, a health workers' strike and intense population movements.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • And widespread adoption by farmers is challenging because perennial crops don’t yield as much, harvesting can be difficult and the market still is developing.
    — Joshua A. Bickel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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