hefty

adjective

ˈhef-tē How to pronounce hefty (audio)
heftier; heftiest
Synonyms of hefty
1
: quite heavy
a hefty book
2
a
: marked by bigness, bulk, and usually strength
a hefty football player
b
: powerful, mighty
gave the door a hefty shove
c
: impressively large : substantial
hefty portions
a hefty price
heftily
ˈhef-tə-lē How to pronounce hefty (audio)
adverb
heftiness
ˈhef-tē-nəs How to pronounce hefty (audio)
noun

Synonyms of hefty

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Examples of hefty in a Sentence

He was a tall, hefty man. Her boss gave her a hefty raise. a hefty dose of irony He gave the door a hefty kick.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These days, any company that needs oil shipped by sea, rail or truck will pay a hefty premium over the price of the oil itself. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026 The trip is part of a broader European charm offensive for Nvidia, and one that comes with a hefty checkbook. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 The finished pad is now hitting the market for a hefty $25 million, the highest asking price ever for a unit in the building, according to the listing team. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2026 Even with Gotion’s low-cost batteries, Richardson couldn’t begin to compete without hefty tax incentives and other subsidies. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hefty

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hefty was in 1863

Phrases Containing hefty

Rhymes for hefty

See All Rhymes for hefty

Browse Nearby Words

heftiness
hefty
hefty price tag
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Cite this Entry

“Hefty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hefty. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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