heave 1 of 2

1
as in to hoist
to lift with effort I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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
4
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

heave

2 of 2

noun

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
Bayko completed two deep passes to get it close, but the clock expired before the Hillies could make a final heave to the end zone. Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 Then the workers gave a giant heave and released the swing. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Had Russell Wilson not heaved a floater in overtime that led to an easy interception, Dallas could easily still be winless. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025 But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave
Verb
  • If Vegas can stop Thomas from carving up their defense with her scoring and passing, then the Las Vegas Aces could be hoisting their third title.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The flume was hoisted by helicopter and anchored to the canyon bedrock.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Rates of nausea and vomiting among those patients were 13% and 11% above placebo, respectively.
    Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Scout stayed at the vet for observation, coughing and vomiting throughout the period, and had her vitals rechecked several hours later.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Eventually, around five firefighters arrived and were able to lift the elevator roughly five feet to pull them out safely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Once the man was no longer surrounded by the beans, first responders were able to attach the man to a harness and lifted him up and out of the grain bin.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Lawrence threw a long pass that went off the hands of Jaguars receiver Tim Patrick, then deflected off Chiefs defensive back Trent McDuffie.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Pinned inside their own 20-yard line, Lawrence threw a short pass intended for receiver Parker Washington.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If nothing else, his wealth of experience, ability to recognize coverages and check the Browns into advantageous situations should be the bare minimum for an offense gasping for life.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • The man who once made Madison Square Garden erupt now gives book clubs a reason to gasp.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In September, Kim viewed a high-thrust solid-fuel ICBM engine, believed to be a Hwasong-20 ICBM.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
  • At 331 cubic inches and 180 horsepower, the engine brought significant thrust to Chrysler's mainstream offerings, outclassing most of its competition.
    Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Jupiter’s gravitational pull also hurls enormous rocks around within the asteroid belt.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Mullen was 29-6 before Marco Wilson hurled a cleat and 5-9 after it.
    Matt Baker, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The government can raise revenues by increasing the payroll tax that funds Social Security or the income threshold to continue paying the tax or raise the full retirement age.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The nonprofit will provide scholarships and supportive services for families raising children with autism.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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