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

Republicans have controlled Congress for the last two years, but face headwinds coming into the 2026 elections. — Dan Snyder, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

But the Chiefs hit headwinds in Week 4 at Las Vegas, when Thornton and Rice were injured and couldn’t finish the game. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026

Balanchine yielded to headwinds which, apparently, persist (about 10% of NYCB’s current roster is Black). — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Put forces and factors in the context of either headwinds (challenges or differences) or tailwinds (helping). — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026