Definition of weightynext
1
2
3
4
5
as in influential
having power over the minds or behavior of others one of the weightiest figures in the field of pediatric medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective weighty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weighty are cumbersome, cumbrous, heavy, and ponderous. While all these words mean "having great weight," weighty suggests having actual and not just relative weight.

a load of weighty boxes

How are the words cumbrous and cumbersome related as synonyms of weighty?

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 can heavy be used instead of weighty?

In some situations, the words heavy and weighty are roughly equivalent. However, heavy implies that something has greater density or thickness than the average of its kind or class.

a heavy child for his age

When might ponderous be a better fit than weighty?

The synonyms ponderous and weighty are sometimes interchangeable, but ponderous implies having great weight because of size and massiveness with resulting great inertia.

ponderous elephants in a circus parade

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 weighty Yet despite her weighty subject, the filmmaker approached her craft with levity. Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026 It’s best listened to in headphones good enough to reveal the many subtle nuances of the sound design and to also emphasize the punchier, weightier moments, including Skrillex’s own singing. Katie Bain, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2026 On-site restaurant Montagu is inspired by his dining room, and the Art Deco Churchill Bar & Terrace is lined with weighty history books curated by London's beloved Daunts Books, and love letters sent between Churchill and his wife Clementine. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Jan. 2026 The Supreme Court heard arguments on that weighty question last month and is now working on its opinion. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 11 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weighty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weighty
Adjective
  • Farther inland, strong and persistent winds will still pose serious problems.
    Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The victim was transported to the hospital with serious injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • In erasing these concepts, or transforming them into meaningless slogans, the recent right-wing campaign of educational suppression seeks to eliminate an important means of understanding Black history.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • What gives management the confidence to continue investing is a massive backlog that keeps getting bigger and bigger.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 29 Jan. 2026
  • The killing of two civilians by federal officers, including the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on Saturday, has drawn increasing criticism from public officials, including Republicans, and massive protests.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The announcements were made during a solemn session marking the opening of the 2026 judicial year at the Supreme Court of Justice, at an official ceremony closed to the media.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Members of the British royal family traditionally take part in a number of solemn events to honor their sacrifices.
    Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The influential investor has the respect of Wall Street and deep knowledge of complex financial markets.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Ah, the nostalgic nineties, that notorious decade that's now being strip-mined for its influential music, funky fashion, dance moves, comics, movies, and television.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate Russia is assembling forces for a major aerial attack.
    AAMER MADHANI AND SUSIE BLANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Jenner, like her sister Kim Kardashian, has often turned to Margiela for her most major moments, with an affinity for the house’s sensual, body-exulting designs.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • School’s closed, the roads in our neighborhood are shut down due to snow, difficult news keeps rolling in, and the whole world feels heavy.
    Caroline Carlson, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Bala can’t go out to buy clean water, because the bottles are too heavy to carry home.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In the video, Caleb said wearing a stern facial expression.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Serious, even stern, Douglas was highly principled, fiercely uncompromising and personally brave.
    John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weighty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weighty. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on weighty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!