WEIGHTY Synonyms: 219 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

weighty

adjective

ˈwā-tē

Definition of weighty

as in serious

having a matter of importance as its topic interrupted a weighty discussion with a silly question

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in important

having great meaning or lasting effect choosing a college is a weighty decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in massive

having great weight lifted the weighty sack and wondered what was in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in solemn

not joking or playful in mood or manner the police office looked at me with a rather weighty expression

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Even when Putin purged Russia’s defense ministry for corruption, including much of Shoigu’s own personal network, Putin transferred Shoigu to a weighty role in the Security Council rather than disempower him. — Julian G. Waller, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Japanese sweet potatoes) that are carved and perched sculpturally on small, nicely weighty tortillas. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Raffles Hotel Le Royal is one such place, where, with a tint of the Wes Anderson, your weighty key is taken and placed in the pigeon holes of the past. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026 Developed by writer Rebecca Sonnenshine and producer Joy Gorman Wettels, this Little House on the Prairie comes at a weighty moment, days after America’s 250th birthday. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for weighty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for weighty

Adjective

Perhaps this is simply what Arsenal becoming a serious superclub looks like.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
There are also some signs of a few isolated showers on Friday night, but nothing serious.

— Joseph Dames, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of serious

Adjective

According to a new study published in Geology, the massive escarpment formed around 800 million to 750 million years ago as the ancient supercontinent Rodinia began to break apart.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Coach Keidane McAlpine hopes the Bulldogs, who dominated from start to finish on a massive stage, left a lasting impression.

— Sarah Spencer, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of massive

Adjective

Both are powerful spots of natural beauty and deep cultural significance, but for a less solemn outing, the little islet of Ojima sits neatly between the two.

— Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
After seeing corrupt cops rewarded with medals and politics debase his best friend, now the courts can’t even be trusted to perform their solemn duty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of solemn

Adjective

Jeanie Buss becomes a Lakers executive In 1999, Jeanie was named executive vice president of business operations and became an increasingly influential figure inside the franchise.

— Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
But the most influential literary genre is the one that clearly doesn’t exist.

— M. C. Mah, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of influential

Adjective

Russia, another major source of fuel, has been knocked offline by another war, the conflict with Ukraine.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Works by major international artists (Tschabalala Self, Francesco Clemente, Chantal Joffe) sit alongside Greek artists (Vasilis Papageorgiou, Kostas Paniaras, Sofia Mitsola) and commissions created on site, scattered through the hotel and grounds.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of major

Adjective

As someone who doesn’t like a heavy foundation, this allows my skin to still look like my skin but with enough coverage to hide my pores.

— Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
The crew immediately contacted authorities, and the city’s Medical Examiner moved swiftly to collect the remains ahead of heavy rains coming Thursday evening.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of heavy

Adjective

There, her stern Granny and poised Aunt Helen (Genevieve O’Reilly) are horrified by her lack of refinement and her indifference about finding a respectable husband.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
In addition to a stern, demanding father, the boy is further plagued by a sudden physical instability, requiring an iron body brace that keeps him ramrod-straight.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of stern

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“Weighty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weighty. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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