HEAVE Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv

Definition of heave

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

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

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position heaved the bucket from the bottom of the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm heaved the brick over the fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in thrust

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Dissimilar Words

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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

This improved insulation also reduces the freeze-thaw cycles that can cause frost to heave your plants out of the soil. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 28 Oct. 2026 Mahomes sprinted to his right to avoid pressure and, a split-second before falling out of bounds, heaved a pass that somehow hit Tyreek Hill in stride for 48 yards. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026

Noun

Harassed all day by Minnesota's menacing pass rush, Baker Mayfield fled the pocket again — this time scrambling and weaving more 20 yards backward before launching a desperation heave that was intercepted. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026 Officials found a reason to put one second on the clock, allowing Underwood one final heave into the end zone. — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave

Verb

The absurd 62-foot three-pointer Luka Doncic hoisted and made late in the second quarter Friday night seemed to ignite him, pushing him to even higher heights on the way to scoring 53 points.

— Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
That wasn't a failing of the JWST itself; no one is doubting the observing capabilities of the most powerful telescope humanity has ever hoisted into orbit around Earth.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of hoist

Verb

At some point that night, Ammann vomited black fluid, Frei later testified.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
On the surface, his new album Antione’s Son is the same old same old—airy melodies, drug talk, vomiting ad-libs—but punched up by suburban ennui and in-the-weeds romantic tales that makes the music feel refreshingly personal.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vomit

Verb

Recent storms appear to have lifted Lake Powell by more than 20 feet from its September low while delivering a smaller rise at Lake Mead, offering a boost to the Colorado River’s two largest reservoirs.

— Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
The second lifted Chi Phi's suspension a year earlier but kept the fraternity on a form of probation known as deferred dismissal.

— Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

Each man wins one round of the fight before it’s broken up, ensuring there’s no clear winner — but the mere fact that Cliff was able to throw a martial arts legend into the side of a car is a feather in his cap.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026
The ball was wet, leading to a few fumbles, while Fagnano couldn’t handle the pressure the Jaguars threw at him on his clear pass downs, leading to two interceptions.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

According to the arrest warrant, state police believe Ringquist first became separated from the truck on Polly Dan Road, where she was knocked to the ground and left gasping for air and sobbing.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
They were gassed, players gasping with the exertion of trying to run the Knicks out of their gym.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of gasp

Noun

Lighter and more powerful engine Northstar produces 715,000 pounds-force of thrust, compared with 640,000 pounds-force from the BE-4.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Icing can cause an increase in a plane’s weight, a reduction in lift, a decrease in thrust and an increase in drag, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

— Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

Castro allegedly hurled a lacrosse ball toward the crowd, nearly striking someone, according to court documents.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Anger spilled into violence, with Molotov cocktails hurled at Tesla vehicles, charging stations set ablaze, and dealerships covered in graffiti.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

Andy’s view The prospect of steep losses for Republicans in today’s midterms and the lame-duck presidency that ensues regardless raise a fundamental question about the outlook for a budding US-China détente.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
In one video, Basabe appears to raise his voice at a man before turning around and shouting at a woman.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of raise

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heat wave

heave

heaved

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“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of heave

verb

noun

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