Synonyms of headwind

headwind

noun

as in wind

an air movement that is blowing toward something (such as a ship or an airplane) as it moves forward

Stiff headwinds caused the flight to take longer than expected.

Related Words

• wind
• air
• gale
• blow
• breath
• breeze
• westerly
• southeaster
• northeaster
• norther
• puff
• flurry
• current
• blast
• zephyr
• whiff
• northwester
• southwester
• waft
• sea breeze
• windstorm
• draft
• tornado
• squall
• tempest
• airflow

Dissimilar Words

• tailwind
• calm

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of headwind

Higher borrowing costs are typically a headwind for bullion, which bears no interest. — Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

However, due to headwinds, that was reduced to 74 minutes, which was and still continues to be an astonishing achievement. — Dhananjay Khadilkar, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Electric vehicles have faced major headwinds over the past year. — Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Even with their fortunes brightening in Michigan, Republicans are clear-eyed about the headwinds this year. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026