Definition of headlandnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Freeman envisioned the steep bluff as a natural amphitheater and arranged the villas on staggered terraces that hug the headland to ensure unobstructed ocean views over the roofs below. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Trade those greatest hits for a few hours’ drive above Dublin and the reward is a wilder, more elemental Ireland — Atlantic headlands carved by weather rather than postcards, beaches that appear out of nowhere, and cliffs that don’t require elbowing for a view. David Dickstein, Oc Register, 13 May 2026 The nation’s tourist-friendly coastlines have been transformed too, most prominently in Ras El-Hekma, a vast Mediterranean headland that helped draw in $35 billion of United Arab Emirates investment in early 2024. Tarek El-Tablawy, Bloomberg, 21 Apr. 2026 The expert cited the bunker's strategic position on a headland used since the Bronze Age, including during the Roman period and the Middle Ages. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for headland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headland
Noun
  • Kyiv has also intensified efforts to isolate Crimea by targeting fuel supply routes and power generation facilities in the occupied peninsula.
    Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city of about 85,000 people, built on a peninsula on Morocco's Mediterranean coast.
    Frank Ahrens, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • While the top included a plunging back, the look was further elevated with a sheer cape that draped over Wonders’ shoulders.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
  • The Dolce & Gabbana design featured a structured corset bodice with visible boning, a voluminous skirt, and a sweeping floor-length cape—all embellished with pink floral embroidery.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • Set atop a flat promontory overlooking Benedict Canyon, the entire spread, completed in 2000, was renovated in 2017 by developer Gala Asher and extensively updated by the pair.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 15 July 2026
  • On June 3, a new hiking trail opened on Scotland’s east coast, providing easier access to a rocky promontory that has long been a pilgrimage site for geologists.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headland. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on headland

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster