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
Facing these and other headwinds, Netanyahu and his allies have been working to undermine the Central Elections Committee, an independent body that manages Knesset elections.
—
Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
But even in the face of all the political and economic headwinds facing late night, Colbert himself has a reputation for being kind and engaging.
—Laura Bradley, Vanity Fair, 18 May 2026
The bear case While the metal side is booming, Alcoa's Alumina segment recorded negative EBITDA of $40 million due to persistent global price pressures, rising energy costs, and freight headwinds.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Samsung has warned that the AI boom is worsening chip shortages and creating headwinds for its own smartphone and display units.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Read more about the significant headwinds being faced by MIT.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 15 May 2026
In a political world where the GOP's House majority is just five seats, those inch-by-inch advantages could temper Republican losses in the midterms despite the headwinds of an unpopular war and high gas prices.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Where there are headwinds, there are tailwinds.
—Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Tariffs on Chinese manufacturing, economic headwinds in retail, and the fallout of the Target boycott have all tested the brand in ways a projection chart can’t fully capture.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 May 2026
Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
But even in the face of all the political and economic headwinds facing late night, Colbert himself has a reputation for being kind and engaging.
—Laura Bradley, Vanity Fair, 18 May 2026
The bear case While the metal side is booming, Alcoa's Alumina segment recorded negative EBITDA of $40 million due to persistent global price pressures, rising energy costs, and freight headwinds.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 18 May 2026
Samsung has warned that the AI boom is worsening chip shortages and creating headwinds for its own smartphone and display units.
—Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Read more about the significant headwinds being faced by MIT.
—O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 15 May 2026
In a political world where the GOP's House majority is just five seats, those inch-by-inch advantages could temper Republican losses in the midterms despite the headwinds of an unpopular war and high gas prices.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Where there are headwinds, there are tailwinds.
—Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2026
Tariffs on Chinese manufacturing, economic headwinds in retail, and the fallout of the Target boycott have all tested the brand in ways a projection chart can’t fully capture.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwinds
winds
Noun
-
The same weather system is also fueling high winds across the Great Plains and causing wildfires to rapidly spread.—
Rob Marciano,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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In unleashing its high-end, Category 4, 150-mile-per-hour winds four years ago, Hurricane Ian cemented a reputation as the deadliest Florida hurricane in almost 90 years.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwinds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwinds. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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