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

But they’re plagued by high costs, inefficiencies, commercial setbacks, struggling carbon markets, and political headwinds in the United States. — Emily Waltz, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Aug. 2026

As many researchers have pointed out to us, there is no better time in history to be doing science, even when working against the headwinds of funding cuts and the rampant spread of misinformation. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

Today, colleges and universities face accelerating headwinds. — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

China faced deepening economic headwinds in July, state data showed, as consumer spending and investment slumped further. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026