weight 1 of 2

noun

ˈwāt How to pronounce weight (audio)
Definition of weightnext
1
as in heaviness
the amount that something weighs because of a back condition, I'm not allowed to lift anything with a weight of over 10 pounds

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in importance
the quality or state of being important a matter of little weight that is a preoccupation solely of the news media

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in burden
a mass or quantity of something taken up and carried, conveyed, or transported those books are a heavy weight to have to carry around all day

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4
as in emphasis
a special notice or importance given to something put extra weight on the matter by putting it at the top of the agenda

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in body
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts the weight of the evidence supports my conclusion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly as a critic he has great weight in the theater world

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in obesity
the condition of having an excess of body fat finally decided to do something about his weight and began a rigorous program of diet and exercise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

weight

2 of 2

verb

as in to load
to place a weight or burden on weighted the car with a ton of furniture and then headed off for college

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun weight differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of weight are consequence, importance, moment, and significance. While all these words mean "a quality or aspect having great worth or significance," weight implies a judgment of the immediate relative importance of something.

the argument carried no weight with the judge

When might consequence be a better fit than weight?

The synonyms consequence and weight are sometimes interchangeable, but consequence generally implies importance because of probable or possible effects.

the style you choose is of little consequence

When is it sensible to use importance instead of weight?

In some situations, the words importance and weight are roughly equivalent. However, importance implies a value judgment of the superior worth or influence of something or someone.

a region with no cities of importance

Where would moment be a reasonable alternative to weight?

While in some cases nearly identical to weight, moment implies conspicuous or self-evident consequence.

a decision of great moment

When can significance be used instead of weight?

The words significance and weight can be used in similar contexts, but significance implies a quality or character that should mark a thing as important but that is not self-evident and may or may not be recognized.

the treaty's significance

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 weight
Noun
This should reduce weight, lead to a need for fewer fasteners, leading to a stronger, less labor-intensive final product. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026 When a squirrel climbs atop its roof or perches, the feeder registers its heavier weight and automatically closes its four ports. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026
Verb
Choices are heavily weighted toward Europe (40%) and North America (27%). — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 24 June 2026 Asia’s defense investment is increasingly weighted to high-margin, technologically advanced systems and not just traditional military hardware. — Chris Oberoi, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weight
  1. heaviness
  2. importance
  3. burden
  4. emphasis
  5. body
  6. influence
  7. obesity
  8. load
Noun
  • The kick drum has a touch of heaviness, but never crosses into muddiness.
    — Christian de Looper, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • Trenin had a solid bounce-back campaign and is a very likable bottom-six winger offering heaviness, physicality, top-notch forechecking, and defensive value.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Definition of heaviness
Noun
  • There is no public address system reminding some fans the importance of a looming third down.
    — Sam McDowell Updated July 3, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2026
  • The importance of falling well has only grown as players have adapted movement patterns from clay and hard courts to grass.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of importance
Noun
  • The fundraiser says Dileo, a single father, is now facing the financial burden of bringing his son home to Florida, in addition to funeral, burial and other unexpected expenses.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
  • Washington has been pressing allies to shoulder more of the spending burden.
    — Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of burden
Noun
  • The small, photogenic village of Aurora, which hugs the eastern shoreline of Lake Cayuga, is home to a new spa that draws inspiration from this landscape and places an emphasis on hydrotherapy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • These insights, especially the emphasis on studying liberal arts subjects as tomorrow’s vocational advantage, echo my own reporting for Forbes.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of emphasis
Noun
  • Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • But Vozinha dived, fully extended his body, and knocked the ball away.
    — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Definition of body
Noun
  • But tomorrow — or a week from now — Ream hopes the team can celebrate the influence its World Cup run made on the sport and the country.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • Which Beyoncé song would Hart have liked to work into Lestat’s music as an influence?
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of influence
Noun
  • And poor diet and sedentary living continue to be the leading causes of preventable chronic conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
    — Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Prior to this new Medicare pilot, seniors who wanted to access GLP-1s for obesity alone paid about $1,350-$1,650 per month for Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) and about $1,086 monthly for Lilly’s Zepbound (tirzepatide).
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of obesity
Verb
  • Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena walked to load the bases with one out before Josh Naylor struck out swinging.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Whether it's stored inside an apartment, packed into an SUV for a weekend getaway, or loaded into an RV before hitting the road, its compact folding frame makes transportation and storage remarkably simple.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 July 2026
Definition of load

Phrases Containing weight

Browse Nearby Words

weighs (upon)
weight
weight (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Weight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on weight

Nglish: Translation of weight for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about weight

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