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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

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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
This lightweight formula allows for thorough cleansing without weighing down hair from heavy product. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025 That’s a heavy theme for a kids show to take on, but it's balanced out with elements that kids will also find entertaining. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Late one night, the heavies from the local don throw a few bricks through the window of an honest shopkeeper. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 The 6 foot 5 inch Lister made an indelible impression as Deebo, the bicycle-riding neighborhood heavy who terrorizes Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in the comedy Friday (1995). Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • Stevens, 86, suffered a massive stroke in 2016 and is currently in assisted living, according to her daughter, actress Joely Fisher.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2025
  • There was a feeling that the country was coming out of a massive crisis and that global institutions had a responsibility to help rebuild the country, strengthen its healthcare system, and make sure an outbreak like this could never happen again.
    The Dial, The Dial, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The building Celine now occupies what used to be a slow pop-up for Dior and Loro Piana.
    Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Of the slow, unsexy work of loving someone even in the worst times.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ted presents the judge with a different affidavit, this time the one the greasy journalist provided them, and informs the court of the DA’s dirty tricks to strong-arm those papers.
    Ayan Artan, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The plastic sleeve also helps keep the beloved pieces of paper from being further damaged by greasy fingers and water droplets.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Japanese photographer has produced a series of hazy images that play with perspective and reflections to showcase multiple angles of the women’s collection designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri, which is set to be unveiled on April 15 in the garden of Tō-ji Temple in Kyoto.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Even sketchier are characters like Isaac and Hanrahan, ruthless military types who never really transcend that hazy description despite being played by formidable actors Jeffrey Wright and Alanna Ubach, respectively.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Donald Trump defended his harsh new tariffs on Saturday Night Live this week — and maybe took a swipe at last week’s musical guest, too.
    Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 5 Apr. 2025
  • When the father tried to explain himself, the women criticized him for being too harsh.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This alarming probability briefly landed the asteroid atop impact risk lists maintained by NASA and the European Space Agency, triggering planetary defense discussions and prompting intensive follow-up observations to refine the object's trajectory.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Number Purchased by Readers: 123 Crest 3D Whitestrips Teeth Whitening Kit What to Know: The Crest 3D whitening kit has 44 strips and two more intensive one-hour treatments.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The 16-year-old passenger and the driver of the Subaru were taken to a hospital and last listed in serious condition, KTUL reported.
    Jennifer Rodriguez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The most serious charge carries up to 10 years in prison, while the others have a five-year maximum term.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Third, operational command of Kamikaze planes is difficult because results cannot be evaluated with any accuracy.
    CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, the major drama comes in the form of Ivy’s corruption by her acting coach, as Ivy gradually goes method and becomes as difficult to work with as Marilyn was (one of this musical’s many meta moments).
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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