Definition of weightnext
1
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

2 of 2

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
Running a dessert company has become more complicated in recent years, from the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to AI reshaping how businesses market, hire, and serve customers. Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 In the first 34 seconds, Pietra Tordin’s perfectly-weight pass hit Sophia Wilson in stride for the opening goal on a long-through ball and proceeded to place it home with her left foot. ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
For example, health care and education were weighted more than crime and corrections, and natural environment. Mike Stunson, USA Today, 31 July 2026 One major difference is that sports are weighted based on NFHS and statewide participation numbers and the number of championships awarded by the GHSA. Chip Saye, AJC.com, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for weight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weight
Noun
  • Traditional volumizing and texture sprays boast a ton of grit with a heaviness that works great for thick, coarse hairstyles, but ultimately weighs thin hair down.
    Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 28 July 2026
  • There is a heaviness and sorrow to that wise, ingenious goddess that obscured the character’s power and playfulness—a choice made by Nolan, no doubt to emphasize his dark themes.
    Caroline Mimbs Nyce, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Noun
  • Whatever his role, Brown will have absolute importance to the 76ers this season.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Disruptions to oil and gas exports have highlighted just how reliant Gulf economies still are on fossil fuel revenues, and the importance of renewable energy to reduce this dependency.
    Dominic Dudley, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Lin and his team have shown that environmental cleanup and resource recovery can go hand in hand, reframing industrial brine from a toxic burden into an untapped mineral reservoir.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Critics during the state’s legislative session framed the sales tax holiday as an election-year political move that would not sufficiently ease the burden of taxes on families in the longer term.
    Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The emphasis on combat readiness and civilian preparedness reflect Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s priorities amid political constraints, said Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Taiwan University.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The speed and scale AI offers have shifted many creative workflows, putting more emphasis on the thinking, judgment and collaboration needed to shape the strongest work from the very beginning.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Things get increasingly bleak, as the family dog’s heart medicine runs out and Jason has to put him out of his misery, and then — in doomsday prepper mode — carves up the body and puts it in the freezer just in case food gets dire.
    William Earl, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • North and Central America and Caribbean governing body CONCACAF and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both criticized the FIFA president and rejected the plan.
    Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But as demonstrations attracted larger crowds, the government was forced to acknowledge them and respond to their growing influence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • For the Lower 48 states, this is an example of a potentially beneficial El Niño influence.
    Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Studies have linked regular bean consumption with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, which may contribute to a longer life expectancy.
    Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts viewed that experimental medicine, ziltivekimab, as a key opportunity for Novo to expand its cardiovascular portfolio and reduce reliance on its obesity and diabetes medicines.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott retired seven straight before singles by Henry Bolte and Tommy White and a walk to Jonah Heim loaded the bases in the fourth.
    CBS News, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Red Sox were limited to one run in the bottom of the 11th despite loading the bases with one out.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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