1
as in peninsulas
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
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2
as in capes
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
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Recent Examples of headlands
If time allows for a mini roadtrip, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and head out to Point Reyes National Seashore, a treasure trove of rocky headlands, beaches, and waterfall hikes.
—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 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
From bay to headlands, the Crosstown Trail slices diagonally across San Francisco in a 17-mile arc.
—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
The space between the headlands would be filled with nearly 1 million cubic yards of sand taken from ocean deposits.
—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Bondi Beach, Australia Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves.
—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Dec. 2025
Climb to the top of the Astoria Column to take in the lay of the land, with panoramic views of headlands, forests, and waterways.
—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Nov. 2025
Throughout the year, beachgoers enjoy its rocky coves and expansive sand, as well as the cliffs and headlands that preside over its shorelines.
—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 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
From bay to headlands, the Crosstown Trail slices diagonally across San Francisco in a 17-mile arc.
—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
The space between the headlands would be filled with nearly 1 million cubic yards of sand taken from ocean deposits.
—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Jan. 2026
Wind gusts will be particularly strong along windward ridges and exposed coastal headlands.
—
Ca Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Jan. 2026
Bondi Beach, Australia Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves.
—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Dec. 2025
Climb to the top of the Astoria Column to take in the lay of the land, with panoramic views of headlands, forests, and waterways.
—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Nov. 2025
Throughout the year, beachgoers enjoy its rocky coves and expansive sand, as well as the cliffs and headlands that preside over its shorelines.
—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlands
Noun
-
Top 5 Can’t Miss Explore the beauty of the Northern Neck—the northernmost of Virginia's three peninsulas—at Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve.
-
Key sections include the northern Kullaleden and Bjäre peninsulas and the coastal Österlen Way in the east — a quieter alternative to the more popular Stockholm Archipelago routes.
Noun
-
Revellers in Knicks capes pleaded their cases fruitlessly.
-
Seven different looks rotate throughout the World Cup season, each one conceived by designer Ricardo Zuccolini, with Diana Dubinsky and her team at Wynwood studio’s DesignLab22 swathing the sea nymphs in capes inspired by FIFA teams’ country colors.
Noun
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The promontories rising on each side of the Strait of Gibraltar are known as the Pillars of Hercules.
Cite this Entry
“Headlands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlands. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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