heavy-footed

adjective

Definition of heavy-footednext
as in plodding

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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-footed For this Nuggets lineup, the average comes out to a pedestrian 6-9, with three capable perimeter defenders to assist the heavy-footed centers, two 40% 3-point shooters to space the floor, and a surplus of play-making talent. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025 Post struggled in his first go, thrown into the fire against the best team in the league that plays a style designed to punish heavy-footed centers. — Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025 For all those who grouse that this is an overreaction to Hunter working over undersized and heavy-footed Bison, that’s fair. — Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2024 But around town, this Infiniti galloped with grace, its exhaust note growling after heavy-footed accelerator applications. — Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 4 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heavy-footed
  1. plodding
  2. slow-footed
  3. lethargic
  4. lingering
  5. loitering
Adjective
  • Bennie Liebenberg, a former geologist at the mine who was serving as our guide, has the plodding, slightly wide-eyed manner of someone who has spent a lot of time underground.
    — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, activists from the gay community lambasted him and his institute for the plodding pace of research on the virus.
    — Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026
Definition of plodding
Adjective
  • The Wolves averaged just 12 turnovers per game in the first four games of the series, capitalizing on Denver’s slow-footed defense.
    — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Valanciunas is slow-footed and plays down the floor in pick-and-roll coverage, leaving the Nuggets more vulnerable to pick-and-pop bigs and other ripple effects of their help rotations around the floor.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of slow-footed
Adjective
  • The national committee has faced a host of criticism from other Democrats for its lethargic fundraising, including calls for DNC Chair Ken Martin to step down that have so far gone unheeded.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The show was also horribly paced, with way too many pointless instrumental spotlights that somehow managed to come across as both showy and lethargic at the same time.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of lethargic
Adjective
  • Shohei Ohtani returned to the top of the Dodgers’ lineup Monday after four days off to address lingering aches, as the club effectively pauses its pitching program for the two-way star.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • No more distractions, no more lingering questions, just a baller who loves this sport and continues to level up.
    — Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of lingering
Adjective
  • Some victim advocates say human trafficking along Figueroa has escalated since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the rollback of anti-loitering laws.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of loitering

Browse Nearby Words

heavy-duty
heavy-footed
heavy-handed
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Cite this Entry

“Heavy-footed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heavy-footed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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