1
as in peninsulas
an area of high ground jutting out into a body of water beyond the line of the coast
the lighthouse, situated on a narrow, rocky headland, commands an expansive view of the coast
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in capes
an area of land that juts out into a body of water
navigation is notoriously difficult at the southernmost tip of South America, where ships must round the headland of Cape Horn
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of headlands
Trade those greatest hits for a few hours’ drive above Dublin and the reward is a wilder, more elemental Ireland — Atlantic headlands carved by weather rather than postcards, beaches that appear out of nowhere, and cliffs that don’t require elbowing for a view.
—
David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
From bay to headlands, the Crosstown Trail slices diagonally across San Francisco in a 17-mile arc.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The space between the headlands would be filled with nearly 1 million cubic yards of sand taken from ocean deposits.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Bondi Beach, Australia Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Climb to the top of the Astoria Column to take in the lay of the land, with panoramic views of headlands, forests, and waterways.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Throughout the year, beachgoers enjoy its rocky coves and expansive sand, as well as the cliffs and headlands that preside over its shorelines.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
The mud can be thigh-deep or worse; the scrambles up and over vertical headlands, sometimes assisted by a greasy rope, are exhausting and sometimes terrifying.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
From bay to headlands, the Crosstown Trail slices diagonally across San Francisco in a 17-mile arc.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The space between the headlands would be filled with nearly 1 million cubic yards of sand taken from ocean deposits.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Bondi Beach, Australia Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves.
—Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2025
Climb to the top of the Astoria Column to take in the lay of the land, with panoramic views of headlands, forests, and waterways.
—Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025
Throughout the year, beachgoers enjoy its rocky coves and expansive sand, as well as the cliffs and headlands that preside over its shorelines.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
The mud can be thigh-deep or worse; the scrambles up and over vertical headlands, sometimes assisted by a greasy rope, are exhausting and sometimes terrifying.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlands
Noun
-
Eddies downstream from peninsulas, brush tops, sunken trees, deep holes, and other current breaks are ideal.—
John Phillips,
Outdoor Life,
14 May 2026
-
Among its wealth of offerings, this Midwestern state also boasts a slew of charming towns on its two peninsulas.—
Katy Spratte Joyce,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
Their white coats hung like snow capes.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
Silhouettes evoke movement with feathers, scarf halter tops, silk organza, capes and lace.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The promontories rising on each side of the Strait of Gibraltar are known as the Pillars of Hercules.—
Elizabeth Fernandez,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headlands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlands. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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