headwind

Definition of headwindnext
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

Relevance

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 headwind The company also expects a 100-basis-point headwind to nights and seats booked during the current period. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 20 May 2026 Facing these and other headwinds, Netanyahu and his allies have been working to undermine the Central Elections Committee, an independent body that manages Knesset elections. Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 18 May 2026 But even in the face of all the political and economic headwinds facing late night, Colbert himself has a reputation for being kind and engaging. Laura Bradley, Vanity Fair, 18 May 2026 Read more about the significant headwinds being faced by MIT. O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for headwind
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headwind
wind
Noun
  • The decrease is attributed to a wind-down of construction after Metro opened its LAX/Metro Transit Center and the A Line extension to Pomona.
    City News Service, Daily News, 29 May 2026
  • Hazards include frequent lightning strikes, wind gusts up to 50 mph and localized flooding.
    Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwind. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster