heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv How to pronounce heave (audio)
Definition of heavenext
1
as in to hoist
to lift with effort I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to vomit
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth heaved as soon as he stepped off the roller coaster

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position heaved the bucket from the bottom of the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm heaved the brick over the fence

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5
as in to gasp
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty by the time he reached the top step of the tower, he was heaving

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heave

2 of 2

noun

as in thrust

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb heave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of heave are boost, elevate, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might boost be a better fit than heave?

The synonyms boost and heave are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for heave?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When is hoist a more appropriate choice than heave?

The meanings of hoist and heave largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

Where would lift be a reasonable alternative to heave?

The words lift and heave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When can raise be used instead of heave?

The words raise and heave can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How do rear and raise relate to one another, in the sense of heave?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

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 heave
Verb
Yet, far from being overshadowed by the star’s appearance, Owens enjoyed plenty of additional attention for his new designs — in particular, a pair of knee-high boots heaving with a plume of feathery leather strips. —Oscar Holland, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025 The League Cup represented the opportunity to heave the biggest monkey in English soccer off the back of an endlessly sleeping giant. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Noun
The art of the full-court heave, for all intents and purposes, is dying. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2025 His last-second heave from the midcourt logo was jarred loose in the waning seconds, and No. 18 Wisconsin scooped up the ball and ran out the clock. —Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave
  1. hoist
  2. vomit
  3. lift
  4. throw
  5. gasp
  6. thrust
  7. hurl
  8. raise
Verb
  • To top it all off, a patron is caught on camera hoisting a live chicken in the air.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Footage released by the Coast Guard shows a rescue diver in the ocean and loading the people one-by-one into a basket, which was hoisted up to the helicopter.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Then, one day in early December of the same year, Walker, who was in high school at the time, remembers lying in bed after being awake all night, vomiting and dealing with diarrhea.
    — Jordan Greene, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Pets may appear lethargic, exhibit loss of appetite, vomit or have diarrhea.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of vomit
Verb
  • Firefighters had to call in a crane to lift the dump truck off the Ford Ranger.
    — Frank Fernandez, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The obliging royalty would lift their hems and give the crowd a glimpse of their sneakers and cowboy boots.
    — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • Several viral videos have captured audiences of the blockbuster video game adaptation going wild, throwing food and drink, and trashing auditoriums.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Gannon threw for 3,430 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions, earning his first Pro Bowl selection at age 35.
    — Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of throw
Verb
  • The woman finally steps into the sunlight and the crowd gasps.
    — Raven Brunner, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Hood watched Smith — who had become his close friend — gasping for breath like a goldfish out of water in a way that will haunt the reverend forever.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of gasp
Noun
  • Any time he is injured, Bayern’s entire left-side needs to be rewired and loses much of its thrust.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • In my opinion, this lack of respect for themselves, other students and authority stems from changes in family socialization thrust upon the school to heal all ills.
    — Martin Potters, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of thrust
Verb
  • Since mid-March, the U.S. military has hurled more than $200 million worth of missiles, bombs, and rockets into the remote deserts and mountains of Yemen, in what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dubbed, with sublime ahistorical clumsiness, Operation Rough Rider.
    — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Avery hurls the ball toward the basket, hitting the rim but missing.
    — Laura A. Bischoff, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • At the same time, these updates raise questions about the Oscars broadcast itself.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • There’s also a charity component, with the team raising funds for local students involved in fish restoration efforts.
    — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of raise

Browse Nearby Words

heat wave
heave
heaved
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Cite this Entry

“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heave

Nglish: Translation of heave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heave

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