as in winds
an air movement that is blowing toward something (such as a ship or an airplane) as it moves forward
Stiff headwinds caused the flight to take longer than expected.
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Recent Examples of headwinds
Independents rise as chains face headwinds Keown said that while some chains have seen financial headwinds and store closures, independent pizzerias have been ascendant.
—
James Powel, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Oil prices have surged this month, raising concerns about energy inflation, clouding the outlook for central banks and posing headwinds for stocks.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
The retailer, which was struggling against the headwinds of e-commerce, also closed a University Drive store.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
China’s export engine could hit headwinds as the Iran war drive up energy costs and disrupts supply chains, with most maritime traffic blocked from passing the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The deepening impact of the Middle East conflict on the economy and a weaker rupee remain significant headwinds.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
These issues reflect the mounting headwinds facing the company, according to Ben Reitzes, an analyst at Melius Research who has a hold rating on the stock.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The Michigan Republican Party meets Saturday, March 28 to endorse statewide candidates for a November election where the state party chairman acknowledges the GOP faces considerable headwinds.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Devitt said midpriced sit-downs have been hollowed out recently and face headwinds, especially in Denver.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
James Powel, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Oil prices have surged this month, raising concerns about energy inflation, clouding the outlook for central banks and posing headwinds for stocks.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
The retailer, which was struggling against the headwinds of e-commerce, also closed a University Drive store.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
China’s export engine could hit headwinds as the Iran war drive up energy costs and disrupts supply chains, with most maritime traffic blocked from passing the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
The deepening impact of the Middle East conflict on the economy and a weaker rupee remain significant headwinds.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
These issues reflect the mounting headwinds facing the company, according to Ben Reitzes, an analyst at Melius Research who has a hold rating on the stock.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The Michigan Republican Party meets Saturday, March 28 to endorse statewide candidates for a November election where the state party chairman acknowledges the GOP faces considerable headwinds.
—Paul Egan, Freep.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Devitt said midpriced sit-downs have been hollowed out recently and face headwinds, especially in Denver.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwinds
winds
Noun
-
The next morning, the National Weather Service warned that the city would see a low-pressure system bringing gusty winds and one to two inches of rain.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Breezy winds remain overnight and into Monday and Tuesday.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwinds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwinds. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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