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
Recent losses reshape the debate The change comes on the heels of two multi-million-dollar losses for a risk pool member at a moment when the costs to settle a lawsuit are skyrocketing and local governments face budgetary headwinds.
—
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The negotiations have faced severe headwinds in recent days, with both sides accusing the other of violating a fragile ceasefire that has largely stopped the fighting since April.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Advertisement But headwinds remain despite the clear business case at a household-by-household, firm-by-firm level.
—Justin Worland, Time, 29 May 2026
Global shipments of clean-energy products reached a record $479 billion in 2025, overcoming major headwinds to cross-border trade.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for headwind
Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
The negotiations have faced severe headwinds in recent days, with both sides accusing the other of violating a fragile ceasefire that has largely stopped the fighting since April.
—Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Advertisement But headwinds remain despite the clear business case at a household-by-household, firm-by-firm level.
—Justin Worland, Time, 29 May 2026
Global shipments of clean-energy products reached a record $479 billion in 2025, overcoming major headwinds to cross-border trade.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 28 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
Cite this Entry
“Headwind.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headwind. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
