HEAVE Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'heave' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of heave are boost , elevate , hoist , lift , raise , and rear . While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. // heaved the heavy crate inside

Q: When might 'boost' be a better fit than 'heave'?

The synonyms boost and heave are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push. // boosted his brother over the fence

Q: How does the word 'elevate' relate to other synonyms for 'heave'?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied. // elevated the taste of the public

Q: When is 'hoist' a more appropriate choice than 'heave'?

The meanings of hoist and heave largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. // hoisted the cargo on board

Q: Where would 'lift' be a reasonable alternative to 'heave'?

The words lift and heave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight. // lift the chair while I vacuum

Q: When can 'raise' be used instead of 'heave'?

The words raise and heave can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position. // scouts raising a flagpole

Q: How do 'rear' and 'raise' relate to one another, in the sense of 'heave'?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise . // suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv

Definition of heave next

as in to hoist

to lift with effort I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to vomit

to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth heaved as soon as he stepped off the roller coaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position heaved the bucket from the bottom of the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm heaved the brick over the fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to gasp

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty by the time he reached the top step of the tower, he was heaving

Synonyms & Similar Words

heave

2 of 2

noun

as in thrust

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How does the verb heave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of heave are boost, elevate, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might boost be a better fit than heave?

The synonyms boost and heave are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for heave?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When is hoist a more appropriate choice than heave?

The meanings of hoist and heave largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

Where would lift be a reasonable alternative to heave?

The words lift and heave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When can raise be used instead of heave?

The words raise and heave can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How do rear and raise relate to one another, in the sense of heave?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

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 heave

Verb

The senior captain threw down a one-handed dunk to open the final frame, then blocked a full-court heave right before the final buzzer to secure the victory. —

Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026 Fiala outbattled two Rangers for an offensive-zone recovery, got the puck back from Alex Turcotte and heaved a shot on net. —

Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026

Noun

Fox’s 3-point heave near the buzzer missed, too, sending the Minnesota crowd into a frenzy after the back-and-forth finish between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. —

Dave Campbell, Twin Cities, 12 Jan. 2026 De'Aaron Fox's 3-point heave near the buzzer missed, too, sending the Minnesota crowd into a frenzy after the back-and-forth finish between two of the top teams in the Western Conference. —

CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave

Verb

The event topped out, by my count, at 18 pro-billionaire attendees, who hoisted signs with slogans such as Tip Your Landlord and Property Rights Are Human Rights.

— Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Japanese figure skater Kaori Sakamoto squealed with delight when presented with a Tina plushie, while freestyle skier Eileen Gu hoisted the mascot into the air after earning a silver medal.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026

Definition of hoist

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heat wave

heave

heaved

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“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of heave

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noun

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