heel 1 of 2

heel

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verb

as in to slope
to set or cause to be at an angle the strong gust heeled the sailboat almost to the point of capsizing, but we managed to right it

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 heel
Noun
Speaking on the eve of the Pacers-Thunder opener, Minnich said the Finals sell-through is at 80%, with scatter demand coming in hot on the heels of a 7% year-over-year ratings boost for the 27 playoff games on ESPN and ABC. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025 Broadcom — Shares of the chipmaker slipped about 2% before the opening bell, on the heels of lackluster free cash flow in the second quarter. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Verb
Along with that case closing with the help of undercover FBI agent Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), drug smuggling, human trafficking and corruption among the border patrol is brought to heel by tribal police sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten). Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025 Whereas the other examples at places like Harvard and Columbia is the Trump administration more or less trying to bring higher education to heel, by making an example of some of the most visible universities, where there have been the most visible pro-Palestinian campus protests over the last year. Devan Schwartz, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heel
Verb
  • Lake Norman State Park offers a long, gently sloping swim beach, lots of shade, picnic areas, hiking trails and even mountain biking routes.
    Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2025
  • The tranquil spaces blend streamlined, minimalist interiors with Korean architectural features like gently sloping tiled roofs, and antique paintings and furniture span the Joseon Dynasty era (14th–20th centuries).
    Leslie Patrick, AFAR Media, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Smoky, spicy jerk is also on the menu in the Pulled Jerk Pork & Coconut Shrimp appetizer at Eleanor’s at Sandals Grande Antigua.
    Sandals Resorts, AFAR Media, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Without the capacity to tilt and rotate, umbrellas need to be physically relocated to adjust to the changing angles of incoming sunlight.
    Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025
  • Solar Orbiter is the first to tilt out of this zone.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.
    cleveland, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2023
  • Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.
    Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Sep. 2023
Verb
  • Stand! had been so encouraging and inviting, and so committed to angling toward a brighter future by embracing freedom and unity in the moment, that anything less than another clarion call for peace and justice would scan as disappointment.
    Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 12 June 2025
  • With the bill’s privacy provisions, the cameras will only capture photos of the back of vehicles and angled away from pedestrians.
    Tina Li, Sacbee.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).
    Lucas Schaefer June 13, Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
  • As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Golden Flying Snake The golden flying snake (Chrysopelea ornata) is another skilled glider, though slightly less proficient than its close relative, the paradise flying snake.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Alligators, snakes, lizards and more will be present for a Gatorland Live event at 11 a.m. and noon and a photo opportunity with gators will take place at the end of the programs.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Wafting down the normally quiet halls were the sounds of whistles, shouting— and the unmistakable smell of a skunk.
    Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 5 June 2025
  • Until then, the best chance to see them is at the skunk training demonstrations in The Loft at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heel. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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