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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
Last year, Speicher conceived a novel way to help teens on the reservation: sharing his love of heavy music. Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025 In October, Mayor Eric Adams spearheaded a heavy police clampdown called Operation Restore Roosevelt, which consisted of more than 200 additional police officers that reduced crime by 29% in the area, Daughtry said. Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
At the same time, more of Richie's heavies arrive at the safe house. Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025 Wingard’s sequel is a bit more abstract than its predecessor, focusing too much on strange world-building and too little on the battle between our two beloved heavies. EW.com, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
  • Some donors continue to feel bitter about the massive amounts of money spent by Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and the Biden/Harris aligned super PAC Future Forward.
    Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 July 2025
  • This was a massive premiere for Paramount+, combining the charismatic Billy Bob Thornton with a traditionally blue collar Taylor Sheridan storyline.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Forecasters at the National Weather Service said there was the potential for additional catastrophic flooding and heavy rainfall in the region throughout Saturday, given the storm’s slow craw across the state.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Even though we've all been told gray is on its way out for quite some time, it's been a slow burn.
    Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the glowy finish the Glazing Mist imparts isn’t greasy.
    Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 10 July 2025
  • Ouai’s Wave Spray gives that effortless, beachy texture without the crunch, Dae’s Agave Dry Heat + Hold Styling Mist helps lock in your style while fighting frizz, and K18’s Molecular Repair Hair Oil works deep to strengthen and smooth without ever feeling greasy.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • How this all will ultimately lead to world-building applications is hazy—and that’s part of the point.
    Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 July 2025
  • Crazy Norse is a 6.8% ABV hazy/New England IPA brewed in honor of Northern Kentucky University.
    Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • The mask fully blocks out the harsh cabin lighting and that inevitable sunrise glow before landing.
    Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2025
  • Before Getting Started When cleaning your oven, try to avoid using harsh oven cleaners or using the self-cleaning feature.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • An intensive moisturiser that delivers maximum hydration, Revision’s DermProtect Barrier Defense™ also replenishes natural lipids, and enhances moisture retention.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The military would prefer to focus on managing ever-growing threats from satellites, an intensive effort that requires continual monitoring as other nations' increasingly sophisticated spacecraft maneuver from one orbit to another.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Simultaneously, approximately 850,000 Ozark Trail 64 oz Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottles were pulled after reports that defective lids could forcefully eject and cause serious injuries, including permanent vision loss in two cases.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
  • The restaurant was temporarily closed by the city for multiple serious health violations, including a malfunctioning refrigerator and freezer, mold growth and food buildup on kitchen equipment.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • James is playing the final year of his contract at $52.6 million, which is a very difficult number for teams to pay.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
  • Any pass to Warren Zaire-Emery in midfield is difficult too, due to Kim pushing out of defence.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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