HEAVE Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'heave' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of heave are boost , elevate , hoist , lift , raise , and rear . While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain. // heaved the heavy crate inside

Q: When might 'boost' be a better fit than 'heave'?

The synonyms boost and heave are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push. // boosted his brother over the fence

Q: How does the word 'elevate' relate to other synonyms for 'heave'?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied. // elevated the taste of the public

Q: When is 'hoist' a more appropriate choice than 'heave'?

The meanings of hoist and heave largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means. // hoisted the cargo on board

Q: Where would 'lift' be a reasonable alternative to 'heave'?

The words lift and heave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight. // lift the chair while I vacuum

Q: When can 'raise' be used instead of 'heave'?

The words raise and heave can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position. // scouts raising a flagpole

Q: How do 'rear' and 'raise' relate to one another, in the sense of 'heave'?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise . // suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv

Definition of heave

as in to hoist

to lift with effort I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to vomit

to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth heaved as soon as he stepped off the roller coaster

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to lift

to move from a lower to a higher place or position heaved the bucket from the bottom of the well

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to throw

to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm heaved the brick over the fence

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to gasp

to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty by the time he reached the top step of the tower, he was heaving

Synonyms & Similar Words

heave

2 of 2

noun

as in thrust

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb heave contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of heave are boost, elevate, hoist, lift, raise, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When might boost be a better fit than heave?

The synonyms boost and heave are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for heave?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When is hoist a more appropriate choice than heave?

The meanings of hoist and heave largely overlap; however, hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

Where would lift be a reasonable alternative to heave?

The words lift and heave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

When can raise be used instead of heave?

The words raise and heave can be used in similar contexts, but raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

How do rear and raise relate to one another, in the sense of heave?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

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 heave

Verb

The ice groaned and heaved, fracturing as if the river itself had come back to life. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 One snap later, Allen heaved an end-zone strike to Moore, who almost caught the ball despite cornerback Kamari Lassiter’s interference. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Noun

The game was over way before the final buzzer, with Johannes’ third-quarter buzzer-beating heave giving the Liberty a 23-point lead entering the fourth. — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 Shay’s family came from Chicago, their bodies unfamiliar with the Atlantic’s endless heave, accustomed to the gentler surf of Lake Michigan. — Shyla Watson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heave

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heave

Verb

Mazda Motor’s flag and Japanese national flag are hoisted at the company headquarters in Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan July 15, 2025.

— Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
Kevin Kopp hoists flag Former KU defensive lineman Kevin Kopp, a starter on the Jayhawks’ 1995 Aloha Bowl team, hoisted the Kansas flag in the southeast corner of the stadium in Saturday’s pregame flag-raising ceremony.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of hoist

Verb

The technology that investors and governments are counting on to lift the global economy is also adding pressure that threatens growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, urging policymakers to stop delaying painful choices on debt.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
From setting up special meals to just brightening days with smiles and genuine care, the staff here lift the already luxury experience to the next level.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of lift

Verb

Bella chews him out for punching Angus in the face right before Angus’s big presentation, which Johnny knew about because they were supposed to throw a return supper for him, a dinner Johnny was supposed to cook.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Victories by Germany’s AfD in state elections have thrown the viability of the country’s government into doubt, while France’s National Rally is the odds-on favorite to win next year’s presidential election.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of throw

Verb

Eventually the curtain was closed again and the microphone in the room was turned off, but Pike could still be heard making gasping or snoring sounds.

— Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping for air during the night, and waking up feeling tired.

— Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of gasp

Noun

This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void?

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
SpaceX’s Falcon user guide says the first-stage thrust-vector control system draws from its high-pressure kerosene system instead of carrying a separate supply of hydraulic fluid.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of thrust

Verb

When campaigning for parliament in 2024, Farage had a milkshake thrown at him by a woman and on another occasion objects were hurled towards his open-top bus by a man.

— Reuters, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026
The disdain liberal media outlets hurl at her isn't because Sweeney defied their values.

— Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurl

Verb

Key justices appeared wary about the potential sweep of litigation, but torn over the complex questions of federal and state law raised by the case.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
Boat trips to Capri and Positano are on the doorstep, as are hair-raising Vespa tours on hairpin roads and private visits to Pompei and Herculaneum.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of raise

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heat wave

heave

heaved

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“Heave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heave. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of heave

verb

noun

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