heads-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈhedz-ˈəp How to pronounce heads-up (audio)
Definition of heads-upnext
as in warning
the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk thanks for the heads-up about the upcoming visit from the corporate big shots

Synonyms & Similar Words

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heads-up

2 of 2

adjective

as in aware

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Dissimilar 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 heads-up
Noun
Also, although the drills were unannounced, some facilities may have had a heads-up, which could have boosted their results. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 The contracts were awarded without any public announcement or heads-up to Congress. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
One such means is to use modern-era AI to identify errors and apprise the therapist as a handy heads-up. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Caglianone soon scored the a go-ahead run on some heads-up baserunning. — Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heads-up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heads-up
  1. warning
  2. aware
  3. wary
  4. mindful
  5. vigilant
  6. watchful
  7. engaged
  8. observant
Noun
  • The Archuleta County Sheriff's office in Colorado warned residents to shelter in place Friday morning, and by the evening had issued an evacuation warning.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Conventional early-warning aircraft have space for substantial radar arrays and powerful onboard systems, but their size and cost can limit how many can be deployed.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of warning
Adjective
  • And many consumers are keenly aware of investors behind businesses.
    — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Sühlmann had plenty of experience designing mid-engine supercars, though, something Leiters, who arrived at Porsche just a few months before him, would have been aware of.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of aware
Adjective
  • Haugen is wary of entering a 10- to 15-year lock up at high interest rates.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The president lost in court, but Democrats are still wary of mail-in voting as the midterm election approaches.
    — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wary
Adjective
  • Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and Maghnes Akliouche are also being managed for minor niggles, and coach Luis Enrique is expected to be mindful about their minutes.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Molly was especially mindful of this when planning the Greece trip.
    — Jenn Sinrich, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of mindful
Adjective
  • Lacy said people should always be vigilant when walking in a public space, and urged people to report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Even the ads that are supposedly okay for kids can be overstimulating and aggressive, so try to be vigilant on those, too.
    — Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of vigilant
Adjective
  • The sanctuary gave her space to socialize and play in a setting close to her natural habitat under the watchful eyes of adoptive gorilla mothers.
    — Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • John has been groomed by his parents—under the watchful eye of the Guardians—to eventually replace the rule-defying and frequently reckless Hal, who lost both parents.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of watchful
Adjective
  • The couple began dating in 2018, became engaged in January 2019 and married in June of that year.
    — Janelle Ash , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • If companies want more engaged workers, ADP CEO Maria Black says CEOs and senior leaders should start by asking themselves if employees trust them.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of engaged
Adjective
  • Arrouas said warnings also advised Jews against visibly wearing kippahs, traditional skullcaps, or tzitzit, ritual fringes worn by observant Jewish men.
    — Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But the sly, observant film inches toward other sources of Tor’s disapproval of the trip.
    — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of observant

Browse Nearby Words

headstrong
heads-up
heads-ups
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Cite this Entry

“Heads-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heads-up. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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