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.
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Recent Examples of headwind
Artisan jobs and blue-collar work may be a buoy from the headwinds.
—
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
In any midterm year, the president faces political headwinds when delivering State of the Union remarks.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The effort comes as high interest rates and tariffs have created other headwinds for development.
—Sara Nevis, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
With China dominating global headlines — from trade policy and technological competition to economic headwinds and geopolitical tension — Semafor China will be a must-read weekly executive briefing on the biggest story in the global economy.
—Rachel Keidan, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
In any midterm year, the president faces political headwinds when delivering State of the Union remarks.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The effort comes as high interest rates and tariffs have created other headwinds for development.
—Sara Nevis, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
With China dominating global headlines — from trade policy and technological competition to economic headwinds and geopolitical tension — Semafor China will be a must-read weekly executive briefing on the biggest story in the global economy.
—Rachel Keidan, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwind
wind
Noun
-
Meteorological explanation Thursday’s unusually warm temperatures across Central and South Texas developed as winds shifted out of the south and southwest, ahead of an approaching cold front and a dry line between dry and humid air masses.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Nationwide demonstrations erupted in response, followed by a change in Operation Metro Surge’s leadership and the eventual wind-down of the immigration enforcement operation in mid-February.—
Sarah Raza,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwind. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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