1
as in loads
a considerable amount
she always has a heap of good ideas you're in a heap of trouble for missing curfew!
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in piles
a quantity of things thrown or stacked on one another
found her shoe under a heap of clothes on the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in pours
to give readily and in large quantities
the critics heaped scorn on the wannabe blockbuster and its implausible plot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in fills
to put into (something) as much as can be held or contained
heaped her plate with spaghetti
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 heaps
Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
When a national economic downturn ends up driving farmers from their land, fertile fields and streams — once home to the myriad insects and amphibians consumed by the storks — turn into toxic trash heaps, and the avians also suffer the consequences.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The ambulance moved to the corner so the paramedics didn’t have to climb over the heaps of garbage.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Lasagna can be made with various ingredients, including spicy sausage or heaps of vegetables.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Two decades later Scognamiglio’s team of cosmic cartographers has updated that map using the heaps more galaxies JWST’s images contain.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2026
Though new to SailGP, the key sailors bring heaps of experience.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Things have been even wilder — and more portal-y — over at Georgia Tech, where heaps of O-linemen and receivers have joined the Yellow Jackets’ would-be quarterback of the future in announcing intentions to jump ship.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Venus, planet of harmony, unites with eager Mars in your 5th House of Ideation, adding heaps of inspiration into everything around you.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
Boston remains blanketed in heaps of snow now more than a week and a half removed from a major snow storm.
—Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
When a national economic downturn ends up driving farmers from their land, fertile fields and streams — once home to the myriad insects and amphibians consumed by the storks — turn into toxic trash heaps, and the avians also suffer the consequences.
—Alissa Simon, Variety, 4 Feb. 2026
The ambulance moved to the corner so the paramedics didn’t have to climb over the heaps of garbage.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Lasagna can be made with various ingredients, including spicy sausage or heaps of vegetables.
—Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Two decades later Scognamiglio’s team of cosmic cartographers has updated that map using the heaps more galaxies JWST’s images contain.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 25 Jan. 2026
Though new to SailGP, the key sailors bring heaps of experience.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Things have been even wilder — and more portal-y — over at Georgia Tech, where heaps of O-linemen and receivers have joined the Yellow Jackets’ would-be quarterback of the future in announcing intentions to jump ship.
—Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 7 Jan. 2026
Venus, planet of harmony, unites with eager Mars in your 5th House of Ideation, adding heaps of inspiration into everything around you.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
The Deb drama is far from over, as the film's director and costar Rebel Wilson heaps new allegations onto the already sizable legal pile.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heaps
Noun
-
When using the dishwasher or washing machine, run full loads to maximize usage of the water.—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The 2026 Super Bowl had loads of celebrities cheering on their favorite team from the VIP boxes—Jay-Z, Kendall Jenner, Saweetie, Rosé, and Travis Scott among them.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
These piles will be more durable, Yung said, because they are composed of larger trees, some of which have 12-inch diameter trunks.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Burn piles sit close to the road, left during mitigation efforts by Denver Mountain Parks, which owns a lot of land in the area.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Atmospheric mist pours across every scene.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The intimate bar tucked in its own nook pours classic cocktails inspired by mountain herbs and local spirits.—
Jenn Rice,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This recipe stacks smoky sausage and hash browns on a buttery biscuit, which is finished with a tangy pepper sauce.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
31 Jan. 2026
-
At the end of lunch, the entire crew scoops their leftover food into a compost bin, and then neatly stacks their containers on top of each others.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Again and again, Tennyson fills his beautifully wrought poems with enormous, unfathomable depths—sometimes cosmic, sometimes temporal, sometimes psychological, often oceanic.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Assuming Crawford or another starter candidate fills the long-relief role, the rest of the bullpen looks practically set.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In January 2018, Cora, a team contingent, and Boston Mayor Marty Wash flew to Puerto Rico to deliver 10 tons of medical supplies, water filtration systems, other necessities, and a monetary donation.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Casey Wasserman, creator of a talent agency behind tons of A-list music artists, actors and sports legends, and Ghislaine Maxwell had a handful of flirtatious email exchanges in 2003, according to documents included in the most recent release by the DOJ.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Ray lavishes attention on another biker’s pet pillion, Kevin (Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters), Colin sulks until his master unzips his trousers and gives him a treat.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Majumdar lavishes her characters with careful attention, and so the reader comes to regard their most troubling actions as justified, if not inevitable.—
Tope Folarin,
The Atlantic,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As is the glaze, which packs a lovely layer of sweet and rich fall flavor, courtesy of the maple syrup.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Stroll Flagler Avenue New Smyrna Beach’s main drag, Flagler Avenue, stretches just five beachy blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway but packs a punch with all its shops, restaurants, galleries, and events.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heaps. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
