Synonyms of head
-
as in skull 
-
as in helm
-
as in foam
-
as in person
-
as in crisis
-
as in headwater
-
as in top
-
as in mind
-
as in brain
-
as in boss
-
as in dam
-
as in bathroom
-
as in user
-
as in lover
-
as in heading
-
as in talent
-
as in to turn
-
as in to lead
-
as in to handle
-
as in to go
-
as in to aim
-
as in to command
-
as in to decapitate
-
as in chief
-
Example Sentences
-
Phrases Containing
-
Entries Near
-
Related Articles
-
Video
1
as in skull
the upper or front part of the body that contains the brain, the major sense organs, and the mouth
I hit my head as I went through the low doorway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in helm
the place of leadership or command
every year a different parent is placed at the head of the troop's cookie drive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
4
as in person
a member of the human race
the tour guide counted heads, and everyone was present
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
when the disagreement between the two departments came to a head, the CEO called both managers in for a closed-door meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in headwater
the beginning part of a stream
Lake Itasca in Minnesota is the head of the Mississippi River
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in top
the highest part or point
stood at the head of the stairs and looked down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in mind
the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
you're out of your head if you think you can swim across that river
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in brain
the part of a person that feels, thinks, perceives, wills, and especially reasons
challenged us to put our heads together and find a solution to the skyrocketing costs of the company's health insurance plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
10
as in boss
the person (as an employer or supervisor) who tells people and especially workers what to do
as head of the planning committee, he had the responsibility of appointing someone to look into the parking situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in dam
a bank of earth constructed to control water
built a head to create a millpond
Synonyms & Similar Words
12
as in bathroom
a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste
give me a chance to visit the head, and I'll be all set to go
Synonyms & Similar Words
13
as in user
a person who regularly uses drugs especially illegally
a shop near campus where all the heads used to get their paraphernalia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
14
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something
she's a total tech head who adores home electronics and computers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
15
as in heading
a word or series of words often in larger letters placed at the beginning of a passage or at the top of a page in order to introduce or categorize
rechecked to make sure that all the heads were in boldface
Synonyms & Similar Words
16
as in talent
a special and usually inborn ability
I have no head for numbers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to turn
to go on a specified course or in a certain direction
she'll be heading out east in the fall to attend college
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to lead
to be at the front of
heading the procession at the dog show was a miniature poodle, followed by dogs seemingly of every breed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to handle
to be in charge of
who headed the CIA when Ronald Reagan was president?
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in to aim
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
after a long day at the beach, we headed the car toward home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to command
to serve as leader of
Robert La Salle headed the expedition that claimed Louisiana for the French king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to decapitate
to cut off the head of
got a job at the slaughterhouse heading cattle
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in chief
highest in rank or authority
as head editor at the TV station for 17 years, he has seen many news anchors come and go
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 head
Thilo Stöferle, Ars Technica, 18 July 2017
Head over to PCWorld’s comprehensive Windows 10 Creators Update review for the full rundown and extensive hands-on impressions, or our round-up of the Creators Update’s best new features.
—Brad Chacos, PCWorld, 17 July 2017
Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
With a long journey still ahead, JUICE is now headed toward Venus, where our neighboring planet's gravity will give the spacecraft a boost on the path to Jupiter.
—Brandon Specktor, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Kansas City runs the ball well, plays good defense, has a mastermind at head coach in Andy Reid and, if all else fails, employs a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who seemingly always makes the necessary plays to win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head
Noun
Turning this on its head, the susceptibility of Bose–
—Thilo Stöferle, Ars Technica, 18 July 2017
Head over to PCWorld’s comprehensive Windows 10 Creators Update review for the full rundown and extensive hands-on impressions, or our round-up of the Creators Update’s best new features.
—Brad Chacos, PCWorld, 17 July 2017
Verb
Hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while heading to such aid sites since May, according to witnesses, health officials and the United Nations human rights office.
—Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
With a long journey still ahead, JUICE is now headed toward Venus, where our neighboring planet's gravity will give the spacecraft a boost on the path to Jupiter.
—Brandon Specktor, Space.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
At the Royal Free, Bean served on the medical wards while Stimson familiarized herself with British surgical practices, working alongside the head orthopedic surgeon.
—Catherine Musemeche, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Kansas City runs the ball well, plays good defense, has a mastermind at head coach in Andy Reid and, if all else fails, employs a three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who seemingly always makes the necessary plays to win.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for head
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head
Noun
-
The 10-month-old baby was taken to a hospital with a skull fracture and retinal hemorrhages, which caused a brain bleed, KDKA reported.—
Mike Stunson,
Miami Herald,
21 July 2025
-
The skull, last documented in 1997, is believed to remain in the vault, although its precise condition is not fully known.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Indicating little to no federal regulation over AI use in the U.S., this elevates the corporate boardroom to the helm of AI governance as the primary, and only, front line leadership control with the authority to oversee the responsible use and adoption of AI throughout America’s companies.—
Bob Zukis,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
-
Niccol, who took over the company’s helm last September, received nearly $98 million in compensation, compared to the typical Starbucks worker’s pay of less than $15,000, according to the report, which drew from corporate filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Flat white: Similar to a cappuccino but with more coffee and no foam.—
PubSubHub User,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
-
In a video shared on Instagram on July 8, Hayward was captured swimming in a cloud of foam in the ocean near Cape Town, South Africa.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
Poor air quality can be devastating for a person’s health, especially vulnerable populations.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Gun sellers in Nevada have been required to perform background checks on buyers since 2020, and a person with a felony conviction or a long-term involuntary mental heath commitment would be barred from purchase.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Things happen, our heroes react, a potentially world-ending crisis is easily averted and everything is wrapped up in time for dinner.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
-
Yet this rift still coincides with a deepening fiscal crisis.—
Joël Té-Léssia Assoko,
semafor.com,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The headwaters originate near 151st Street and Antioch Road in Overland Park and flows east for 4 miles through Leawood, ending at the Blue River in Missouri.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
21 July 2025
-
Recovery efforts continue, with more than 1,000 local, state, and federal personnel – alongside thousands of volunteers from across the country – combing the area on foot from the river’s headwaters to Canyon Lake.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
As luck had it, there was room in the script for a new character and Bad Bunny was top of mind.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
22 July 2025
-
Their work goes beyond the courtroom, too; Marquez-Garrett is in close communication with lawmakers, parents, educators, and journalists to keep these issues top of mind and to work toward making the online world a safer place for kids and young people.—
Parents Editors,
Parents,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Thicker gel mattress toppers do cost more, and keep in mind that a thinner gel mattress topper will affect the overall feel of your sleeping experience.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
-
In Roeck’s picture, competitive, rather than imitative, habits of mind rose from religious warfare, establishing a cutthroat system of cultural and economic innovation which lasts to this day.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Head.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share