weight 1 of 2

Definition of weightnext
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as in heaviness
the amount that something weighs because of a back condition, I'm not allowed to lift anything with a weight of over 10 pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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weight

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun weight differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weight are consequence, importance, moment, and significance. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

When might consequence be a better fit than weight?

The synonyms consequence and weight are sometimes interchangeable, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When is it sensible to use importance instead of weight?

In some situations, the words importance and weight are roughly equivalent. However, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

Where would moment be a reasonable alternative to weight?

While in some cases nearly identical to weight, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When can significance be used instead of weight?

The words significance and weight can be used in similar contexts, but significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

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 weight
Noun
However, in the interest of shedding weight and making the shoe more wearable casually, the changes feel more beneficial than detrimental. Riley Jones, Footwear News, 6 May 2026 This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
Verb
That projection is based on the player’s performance in each metric over the last three seasons (five for goalies), weighted for recency where more recent seasons carry more significance and regressed to the mean. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Nike’s bestselling Alphafly 3 — the Alphafly series is considered the standard for super shoes — weights more than twice as much as the Pro Evo 3 at 218 grams for a men’s size 10. Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weight
Noun
  • And fiction offers a way to interrogate some of the heaviness and how it might be caused by our systems.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The finish leans slightly dewy at first, then settles in comfortably, leaving skin feeling soft, hydrated, and protected without heaviness.
    Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • What is the importance of drawing this distinction, though?
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • Saka’s importance to this Arsenal side cannot be overstated.
    Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Their burdens, at least, were light.
    Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • City leaders raised the property tax rate for two consecutive years, most recently by about 3 cents to nearly 63 cents per $100 valuation, a move critics said placed a greater burden on homeowners.
    Sergio Candido, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • If these safeguards advance, why is the emphasis not on reforming underlying financing practices—including deferred interest and retroactive interest models—rather than further burdening providers who are attempting to offer patients a lawful payment pathway when traditional coverage fails them?
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2026
  • The model itself came up as much as the work, with an emphasis on mentorship, salons, and slower growth.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Noun
  • Two former players were deemed permanently ineligible to participate in NCAA play after the governing body found them in violation of potential game manipulation for sports betting.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The modeling industry has long played a role in perpetuating unrealistic body standards, though there have been cyclical advances and setbacks.
    Rory Satran, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Foreign adversaries such as the CCP use a wide range of tools to project influence inside the United States, from academic partnerships and intellectual property theft to land acquisition, supply chain leverage and political lobbying.
    Joe Gebbia Sr, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The Seoul High Court said that a first lady, being closest to a president, represents the country together with her husband and has a big influence on him.
    ABC News, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Rowley also says not getting enough sleep is linked with cardiometabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, as well as cardiovascular problems.
    Pien Huang, NPR, 2 May 2026
  • The World Health Organization lists age, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use and family history as factors that contribute to breast cancer.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Wednesday’s game, in particular, ended in extremely bizarre fashion with Xavier Edwards turning an unusual unassisted double play with the bases loaded and Freddie Freeman at the plate.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The Patriots blew the game open with a six-run fifth, including an RBI single from Lindsay and one walk and one hit batter with the bases loaded to push across runs.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weight. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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