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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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
Trabuco’s two-point attempt failed, which kept the lead at just one point, 20-19, but the Oilers’ final heave to the end zone was knocked down by Josh Fitch to seal the win. —Zach Cavanagh, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025 But the Patriots escaped thanks to a 33-yard heave from Jackson Stetcher to Jacob McDonald. —Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
Since 2023, the actor has regularly been photographed at the Studio City Farmers Market, arms—and Bode tote—heaving with tulips, pincushions, sunflowers, and sea lavender. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025 Contestants stood at one end and heaved the rats toward the other; the crowd pressed against the sidelines. —Nathaniel Rich, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 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
  • On the same day, thousands of demonstrators made their way through the streets of London, hoisting signs, flying flags and carrying banners to make their opposition to Trump known.
    — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • But not everyone can make the trek overseas to hoist a Maßkrug (beer stein).
    — Don Tse, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of hoist
Verb
  • Daily beatings that left people in wheelchairs, with broken teeth, and vomiting blood.
    — Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Then, early in the morning of February 18, Chernyak began having seizures and vomiting in his bunk bed.
    — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of vomit
Verb
  • Girls soccer Jaydin Simpson scored the lone goal in the first half to lift Beverly (5-2-1) to a 1-0 Northeastern Conference win over Peabody.
    — Tyler McManus, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The late offense lifted the hottest team in baseball to its eighth-straight victory.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • He was replaced by Jake Browning, who threw for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions and rushed for another score.
    — Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • So Georgia Republicans threw me out of their party.
    — Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of throw
Verb
  • Whoopi Goldberg broke news of Robert Redford's death to The View audience in real time, with studio audience members audibly gasping as the Oscar-winning actress informed that the 89-year-old Hollywood icon died earlier Tuesday at his home in Utah.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Voices gasped, exhaled for a beat, then rose up in screams of horror.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of gasp
Noun
  • Where the gobs of torque on track felt sufficient, if not overwhelming, all of a sudden mashing the throttle at any point in the rev range provided more than enough thrust for any situation, even on steep mountain ascents.
    — Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • This is greater than the thrust provided by the ion engine on board the Japanese Aerospace Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa2 mission to the asteroid Ryugu, for example.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of thrust
Verb
  • Quirarte had switched to a still camera when Slebir, towed on a Jet Ski by his longtime surfing buddy Luca Padua of Half Moon Bay, hurled to the crest of the gigantic wave and let go of his tether.
    — Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Solar flares are colossal explosions in the sun's atmosphere that hurl out bursts of powerful radiation.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of hurl
Verb
  • As he was driven away, Matthews raised a thumbs-up to the crowd, drawing an ovation from USC fans and a huddle of his Spartans teammates, who circled together in support before returning to the sideline.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Rock for First Responders benefit concert; another year of showing their support for the event, which raises money for essential equipment and mental health programs for Santa Barbara’s first responders.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 21 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 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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