headland

1
as in peninsula
an area of high ground jutting out into a body of water beyond the line of the coast the lighthouse, situated on a narrow, rocky headland, commands an expansive view of the coast

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2
as in cape
an area of land that juts out into a body of water navigation is notoriously difficult at the southernmost tip of South America, where ships must round the headland of Cape Horn

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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 headland The headlands are one of three places where the endangered mouse can be found. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025 The Oregon Coast Trail, Oregon Distance: Up to 425 miles The Oregon Coast Trail (OCT) sounds too good to be true: More than 400 miles of hiking along the Pacific Northwest’s coastal headlands, bouncing between isolated beaches, cliff tops, dense rain forests and the occasional fishing village. Graham Averill, Outside Online, 30 May 2025 When my swimming buddy Peggy and I were about to round the final headland before swimming another 1/4 mile to Reggae beach, the final destination, something heartwarming happened. Natalie Nixon, Flow Space, 21 May 2025 With steep headlands and ever-changing trail conditions, the 32.1-mile Minong Ridge Trail is the most primitive route for experienced backpackers. Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for headland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headland
Noun
  • Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022 and annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.
    Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • North Country National Scenic Trail spans eight states, including more than 1,100 miles in Michigan through urban and rural areas in the upper and lower peninsulas.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Not dissimilar from her Baby2Baby Gala look, Markle’s bespoke Balenciaga statement pieces included a white flowing suited look, complete with billowing, wide-leg trousers, a simple button-down and a flowing cape.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Arraial do Cabo’s crystal-blue water, white sand, sea caves, and rocky cliffs are part of what makes the cape so unforgettable.
    Aaron Randolph, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The castle sits atop a dramatic rocky promontory and makes for a spooky side trip for those visiting Bucharest (about a three-hour drive south).
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
  • By Eren Orbey Scott Johnson was found dead at the base of North Head, a sandstone promontory in Manly, Australia, that looms two hundred feet above the craggy shore of the Tasman Sea.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Headland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headland. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.

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