1
as in massive
having great weight
this trunk full of books is much too heavy for one person to lift
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2
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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3
as in greasy
containing much seasoning, fat, or sugar
avoid heavy desserts like cheesecake and pecan pie
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4
as in hazy
covered over by clouds
heavy skies threatening rain
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5
as in harsh
difficult to endure
they paid a heavy price for their mistakes
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6
as in intensive
extreme in degree, power, or effect
heavy rains the company is forecasting heavy losses this year
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7
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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8
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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9
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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10
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body
the heifer was heavy with young and soon would be birthing
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1
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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2
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heavy
Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
To avoid scratches, don’t slide heavy pots across the surface—pick them up and move them instead.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 7 Jan. 2026
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 8 Nov. 2025
If the Rockets go big-heavy often, Reed Sheppard loses some shine.
—Stan Son, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heavy
Adjective
When heavy rain occurs, there is a risk of flooding, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone regions.
—Noun
There is going to be a special burgundy-heavy edition of the book.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy
Adjective
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Constructed with the same thick, stretchy fleece material, this sporty pullover comes with a massive kangaroo pocket and a large hood, both working to keep you warm on chilly flights.—
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This delicate balance allows massive galaxies to stay dormant for billions of years, even when star-forming material is present.—
Adjective
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Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.—
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When visiting the exhibit, plan on taking your time to make the most of it, or what the American Federation of Arts calls slow looking.—
Adjective
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It’s blended with moisture-locking sunflower seed oil, white lupin flower extract to improve elasticity, and passionfruit oil for a hit of lightweight, never-greasy nourishment.—
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Run The Range Hood Hot air and steam carry oil droplets during cooking and deposit them, leaving behind a greasy residue on cabinets, walls, and other surfaces.—
Adjective
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Although Jerry Garcia cast the longest shadow across the legend of the Dead with his dark, complexly melodic songs and his hazy, frayed vocals, Weir’s shadow was more translucent, melodically lighter and rhythmically astute.—
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What the new blueprint looks like is still hazy, and there isn’t just one way anymore.—
Adjective
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Bipartisan harsh criticism Senators from both sides of the aisle blasted the investigation.—
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Common exfoliators and fine line-eliminators like retinol and glycolic acid are too harsh on my skin, but this serum utilizes lactic acid, which is far more gentle but just as potent.—
Adjective
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Between 2022 and 2023, a team from Arkeologerna conducted an intensive investigation in the southernmost area of the former city.—
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The orbiters are expected to linger in a holding pattern before heading for Mars next year when the red planet is better aligned for a less fuel-intensive journey.—
Adjective
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The lawsuit names specific brands — including cereals, pizzas, sodas, and potato chips — linking them to serious health problems.—
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Kittle was carted off the field, indicating a serious injury, after he was tackled by safety Marcus Epps at the right sideline.—
Adjective
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Jens generally chooses his words carefully, and is, what’s more, particularly reticent just after finishing a long and difficult winter delivery trip; what’s a person supposed to do with words in a blizzard anyway, up on a stormy heath and all directions lost?—
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In his first start in the wake of Beau Pribula’s significant injury, Zollers walked into a difficult situation, and his stat line reflected it.—
Cite this Entry
“Heavy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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