1
as in weight
the amount that something weighs
some synthetic fabrics are nice and warm, but I prefer wool because it has more heft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
as a former senator, he still had some heft in political circles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bulk
archaic
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the heft of the wainwright's business had been the building of hay wagons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
heft your baggy gym shorts a little higher—you're showing us more than we care to see
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 heft
Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In a vacuum, this would make the Wilderness a little swifter to 60 than a standard turbo Outback; in practice, the gearing advantage is pretty much erased by the heft of the standard Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
While that weight is fine for a desktop replacement laptop, picking it up in tablet mode is like hefting an anchor.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heft
Noun
This 46th edition of the BRITs carries extra heft with the awards being held for the first time at Manchester’s Co-op Live when the ceremony returns in late February.
—Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
In a vacuum, this would make the Wilderness a little swifter to 60 than a standard turbo Outback; in practice, the gearing advantage is pretty much erased by the heft of the standard Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
Recursive self-awareness like this can trap a performance in a feedback loop, but Bassichis finds heft in thinking about what actual mainstream fame might mean to a gay comedian, both in Maya’s time and now.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
While that weight is fine for a desktop replacement laptop, picking it up in tablet mode is like hefting an anchor.
—Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for heft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heft
Noun
-
This enables, for example, ultra-fast charging while requiring only thinner cables, which saves weight and costs.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
The relentless weight of longing is largely absent from Fennell’s vision.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Global celebrity influence Zendaya begins her brand ambassadorship at Louis Vuitton — and is the face of its 2026 130th anniversary campaign.—
Tonya Blazio-Licorish,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Pinder described the choir’s sound as modern gospel with influences from contemporary Christian music and Caribbean traditions.—
Jonel Juste,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His bulk, shrouded in a floor-length poncho, appeared almost weightless, ectoplasmic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Messages like this go out in bulk.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This rapid release likely caused the soil to heave upward, resulting in the minor floor damage.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Cover Exposed Roots Sometimes heavy ice and snow heaves newer plants out of the ground.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
By Wednesday morning, the restrictions were suddenly lifted, leaving the city’s airport in confusion for several hours.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Erewhon is pushing its wellness footprint further into aesthetics — starting with lip flips and brow lifts — as the lines between self care and cosmetic treatments continue to blur.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The only recognizable Mustard tic is the ubiquitous finger snaps, which mostly add sway.—
Stephen Kearse,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Banks and supermarkets sit on corners where drug dealers held sway.—
Michael Powell,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For many Americans, the most vulnerable eating decisions of the day happen between lunch and dinner, and those decisions could have long-term consequences for how the body and brain handle blood sugar later in the day, according to recent research and reports.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The 251 hostages taken in the attack were returned to Israel in various ceasefire agreements, with the remains of Israeli police officer Ran Gvili, the final body in Gaza.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Heft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heft. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
