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

Relevance
2
3
4
5
6
7

weight

2 of 2

verb

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
For beauty founders, launching your brand in retail stores carries symbolic weight. — Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 That could reduce weight and simplify the electronics surrounding the RF chain. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
But weighting choices vary by pollster and offer no assurance of accuracy. — W. Joseph Campbell, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026 Any interviewer with distance from Jay, or perhaps refined skills as a journalist, may have approached the tracks more directly, and some topics here feel like they’re weighted with unturned stones. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for weight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weight
Noun
  • Given the lefty-heaviness of the Yankees’ lineup, Stanton’s right-handed bat could factor in as a late-inning weapon.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • While a label like ‘woman’ has always felt stifling and strange, ‘daughter’ doesn’t carry that heaviness.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • What readers are saying The comments on the article discuss the importance and challenges of effective listening, particularly reflective or active listening.
    — Maggie Penman, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The project helped bring attention to regenerative farming and the importance of maintaining a sustainable ecosystem where people and animals can thrive together.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • This shortage is especially concerning given Arkansas' diabetes burden.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But prices edged lower Friday, after the Group of Seven nations announced the release of diesel and crude stocks to ease the burden on consumers.
    — Azhar Sukri,Terri Cullen, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The award also puts greater emphasis on the industrial capacity behind the weapon.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Does the emphasis in this summer’s shows on Lee’s painting suggest a new phase in the reception of his work—situating him, perhaps, in greater proximity to Korean dansaekhwa painting than to the School of Things?
    — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The third, Surrender, is a massage performed in water, in which the buoyancy and warmth allow the body to completely relax and let go.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The tomb’s entrance passage, with narrowing walls and descending axis, creates a liminal stage to orient the body before entering the burial chamber.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The traditional Pueblo architecture has touches of Native American and Western influences, along with European and Mexican motifs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Scotlandville will no longer be represented by a native son, someone who people believed instinctively understood their challenges and offered a direct line to power and influence in the nation’s capital.
    — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • People with gum disease, cavities and missing teeth face elevated risk for stroke, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026
  • In one study involving teens with obesity, for instance, O’Sullivan and his colleagues found that participants who ingested fecal transplant capsules loaded with healthy gut bacteria had better metabolic health years later than those who didn’t.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Most of the half-hour was spent just waiting for scientific databases to load.
    — Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The company also said owners can teach the robot to load a dishwasher and clear a cat litter box.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on weight

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!