Weighty

Definition

Weighty means carrying substantial intellectual or moral gravity, demanding careful consideration. Momentous, by contrast, means of great historical or epoch‑defining importance, often a turning point. So, weighty focuses on seriousness and the burden of responsibility. Momentous focuses on historic, world‑changing significance.

What it describes

A judge is preparing to sentence a convicted criminal. The case is not simple. The criminal hurt many people, but he also grew up in terrible poverty and was abused as a child. The judge reads hundreds of pages of evidence, listens to emotional testimonies, and thinks for several days. He knows that whatever decision he makes will change many lives. The responsibility feels heavy. What kind of decision is the judge about to make? It is a weighty decision.

Examples in context

• The committee faced weighty ethical questions about the future of genetic engineering.
• After a weighty pause, the leader announced his resignation.