HEAVY Synonyms: 702 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

heavy 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhe-vē

Definition of heavy next

as in massive

having great weight this trunk full of books is much too heavy for one person to lift

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in greasy

containing much seasoning, fat, or sugar avoid heavy desserts like cheesecake and pecan pie

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as in hazy

covered over by clouds heavy skies threatening rain

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as in harsh

difficult to endure they paid a heavy price for their mistakes

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as in intensive

extreme in degree, power, or effect heavy rains the company is forecasting heavy losses this year

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as in serious

having a matter of importance as its topic got into a heavy discussion about death and the afterlife

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as in difficult

requiring considerable physical or mental effort until we find our groove, it's going to be heavy sledding on this project

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as in powerful

having great power or influence she's not among the handful of heavy critics who can make or break a Broadway show

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as in pregnant

containing unborn young within the body the heifer was heavy with young and soon would be birthing

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heavy

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noun

as in brute

a mean, evil, or unprincipled person he played the heavy in film after film until being cast against type as the romantic lead in a comedy

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as in heavyweight

one of high position or importance within a group in the field of secondary education, she definitely ranks as one of the heavies

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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

Two Navy barges were also deployed to lift heavy wreckage. —

David R. Martin, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 Combined, the initiatives and commitments seem to carry a rising level of risk given a slowdown of heavy migration to Florida from out of state since the COVID-19 pandemic. —

David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2025

Noun

That left their lineup quite right-hander heavy, with only Yordan Alvarez lurking as a power threat from the left side. —

Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024 The Bahamas are still attracting heavies to the Four Seasons Ocean Club, Harbor Island, and Albany. —

Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for heavy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy

Adjective

The ramifications would prove massive for the hundreds of Americans targeted by McCarthy’s investigations or called to testify before his Senate subcommittee.

— Made by History, TIME, 9 Feb. 2025
As for Cooper, who is a massive Eagles fan, he was seen arriving to the game with his daughter Irina by his side, in addition to Chiefs superfan Rudd.

— Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2025