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 Before the identity questions get too weighty, though, Walton interrupts the chatter to fire a laser gun around wildly and eliminate none of his targets besides, eventually, Clone-Karl. Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Rink also believes the category works well with seafood and white meat, especially those with weighty textures and rich flavors like scallops with beurre blanc or an earthy, rustic preparation of chicken or Cornish hen. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Mar. 2025 Certainly, that voltaic vibe trickles down to our looks too—weighty wools and cashmeres make way for breezier cottons and organzas on the fashion front. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025 Ask yourself a weighty question -- do the upsides of AI possibly overturn or outweigh the downsides? Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weighty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weighty
Adjective
  • Increasingly, however, the interviews that are the bedrock of film coverage are fewer, shorter and more lightweight, often to the point of being useless for anyone trying to write a serious piece.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
  • But critics across the political spectrum, including some Republicans, say the arrangement raises serious legal and constitutional questions—especially given Trump’s private business ties in the region and the shadow of past emoluments controversies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • That’s another important component of the foreclosures First Street tracked: areas where home prices are rising tend to avoid falling into distress.
    Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • It’s used to empower creativity with respect to craft and to talent, which is extremely important in this industry.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • The massive undersea volcano reaches more than 3,600 feet above the seabed is located 300 miles offshore.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Thanks to micro-influencer content and peer referrals, the beauty brand was able to build a massive, loyal following and grow into a billion-dollar business.
    Tony Pec, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Handheld digital images give way to more solemn documentary reveries, which give way to surveillance footage and TikTok-style social media interludes.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 May 2025
  • The scenes involving Alma and Erika, both of whom grow up in worlds dominated by a solemn patriarchy and plagued by hardship, feel like they were drawn from period horror movies.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Means has attracted scrutiny from health professionals over her background and the ire from some on the far-right including activist Laura Loomer, an influential voice for Trump.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Israel’s campaign in Gaza The influential pan-Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera aired on a loop what appeared to be mobile phone footage of the alleged gunman, wearing a suit jacket and slacks, being pulled away after the shooting, his hands behind his back.
    Maya Sweedler, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • According to a 2025 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, roughly 21% of consumers with a credit record were using a buy now, pay later plan from one of six major firms in 2022.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The three-time major champion, lacking only the Wanamaker Trophy for his major collection, ran off three straight bogeys early on the back nine and shot 76.
    Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Florida Panthers’ run of consistent success over the past handful of years, which reached a crescendo last year with the franchise winning its first Stanley Cup, plays a heavy part in that.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 11 May 2025
  • That means no heavy equipment and fewer dishes to clean. 2.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • And Hannah Waddingham gives a good, stern space-lady as the voice of the Galactic Grand Councilwoman.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 May 2025
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy put his arm round Amad, who wore a stern expression before going onto the pitch.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Weighty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weighty. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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!