heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv How to pronounce heave (audio)
Definition of heavenext
1
as in to hoist
to lift with effort I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to vomit
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth heaved as soon as he stepped off the roller coaster

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3
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position heaved the bucket from the bottom of the well

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to throw
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm heaved the brick over the fence

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5
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

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heave

2 of 2

noun

as in thrust

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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
Will any of these managers ever get heaved out of a game again? —Jayson Stark, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025 With the seconds winding down in the third quarter, and the Nuggets up big, Jokić decided to heave a shot at the opposite end of the court. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
Proctor had a last-second heave for the tie but missed the mark as time expired. —John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Apr. 2025 The 1983 team should’ve done it, if not for Dereck Whittenburg’s heave, Lorenzo Charles’ dunk and Jim Valvano’s mad dash. —Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave
  1. hoist
  2. vomit
  3. lift
  4. throw
  5. gasp
  6. thrust
  7. hurl
  8. raise
Verb
  • Pallbearers dressed in black suits hoisted Pope Francis’ coffin on their shoulders.
    — Aryn Baker, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The pairs on the crater rim then hoist their companions back up, unfolding the mesh and lofting the receiver above the dish.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Chaos ensues when Fred Armisen's auctioneer unveils the painting, prompting everyone else in the room to shout, vomit, and self-harm, including Samberg's then-castmates Bobby Moynihan, Bill Hader, and Kristen Wiig.
    — Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The caption explained that Reggie did get sick later that night and vomited next to the bed, which was conveniently on the side where his owner sleeps.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of vomit
Verb
  • The reigning league champion Pride were about 20 minutes away from their second consecutive loss of the season before Marta redirected the tides and Carson Pickett went beast mode to lift the team to a thrilling 3-2 victory.
    — Emily Olsen, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Mark Carney won the Canadian election to continue his term as prime minister, Canadian and U.S. news outlets reported late Monday night, closing his victory after President Donald Trump's aggressive rhetoric and tariffs lifted the ruling Liberal Party to a remarkable political comeback.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • The collection includes more than 200 items, including a wide range of bedding, bath towels and accessories, pillows, and throw blankets.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Iredale quickly fielded the ball and threw to second base.
    — Matt Jones, Arkansas Online, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of throw
Verb
  • The audience gasped at the first snippet, a soundless rendering of the moment when the vampire Remmick first appears.
    — Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Nope, not breathless, not gasping for air, not completely winded.
    — Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of gasp
Noun
  • Encouraging indicators The arcane but revered Zweig breadth thrust triggered Thursday, a clustering of extreme positive breadth days that arise after oversold conditions.
    — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Each aircraft has two thrust levers, one for each of the plane's engines to speed up or slow down.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of thrust
Verb
  • The massive Ford Raptor truck then reverses away from the lot, hurling Sloan to the ground.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Then, as Ventura was motionless on the floor, Combs appears to kick her and later hurls an object from a table at her.
    — Liam Quinn, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • Ocasio-Cortez raised $9.6 million in the year’s first quarter, an eye-catching amount that’s fueling speculation about her political future and potential ambitions.
    — Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The resulting footprint is T-shaped, creating numerous pockets of outdoor space just begging to be built out with cushy outdoor seating, raised garden beds, an al fresco dining room, or your very own lanai.
    — Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of raise

Browse Nearby Words

heat wave
heave
heaved
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Cite this Entry

“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heave

Nglish: Translation of heave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heave

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