Synonyms of heave

heave 1 of 2

verb

ˈhēv 

1

as in to hoist

to lift with effort

I heaved my duffel bag into the bus's overhead compartment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hoist
• raise
• upheave
• heft
• boost
• elevate
• up
• uplift
• jack (up)
• rear
• hike
• uprear
• upraise
• pick up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• lower
• depress
• sink
• submerge
• submerse

2

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

• vomit
• hurl
• retch
• puke
• barf
• eject
• upchuck
• gag
• throw up
• spew
• disgorge
• spit up
• lose one's lunch
• toss one's cookies
• regurgitate
• expel
• nauseate

3

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

• lift
• raise
• elevate
• hoist
• uplift
• up
• crane
• uphold
• take up
• boost
• heighten
• hike
• heft
• rise
• upraise
• ascend
• mount
• pick up
• jack (up)
• perk (up)
• rear
• upend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• drop
• fall
• lower
• slip
• descend
• push
• plunge
• bear
• dip
• press
• depress
• sink
• pitch
• submerge

4

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

• throw
• hurl
• toss
• fling
• sling
• fire
• launch
• cast
• chuck
• catapult
• pitch
• let fly
• lob
• hurtle
• dash
• bowl
• pelt
• flip
• dart
• loft
• gun
• peg
• roll
• thrust
• pass
• propel
• precipitate
• hook
• eject
• rifle
• impel
• shoot
• project
• buck

5

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

• gasp
• pant
• puff
• wheeze
• hyperventilate
• snore
• blow
• choke
• gulp
• smother
• huff
• strangle
• be out of breath
• stifle
• exhale
• gag
• asphyxiate
• snuffle
• expire

heave

2 of 2

noun

as in thrust

Related Words

• thrust
• upheaval
• upturn
• climb
• soar
• upsurge
• upswing
• upwelling
• uplifting
• upthrust
• raise
• uptrend
• rising
• rise
• hoist
• ascension
• ascent
• upsweep
• upraising
• boost
• hike
• takeoff
• raising
• elevation
• liftoff
• levitation
• blastoff

Dissimilar Words

• sinking
• decrease
• decline
• down
• plop
• plummeting
• fall
• drop
• dive
• downfall
• dip
• downgrade
• plunge
• descent
• comedown
• nosedive

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

Recent Examples of heave

Verb

Her last-second heave from the top of the arc fell short as the Valkyries fell to 7-7. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 June 2025

With a chance to send Wednesday’s game against the defending champions into overtime, Kate Martin’s 25-foot heave fell short. —Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 26 June 2025

Noun

Shortstop Edmundo Sosa desperately heaved the ball home upon fielding the relay, but the throw was equal parts errant and late. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025

Step inside – once the doors have heaved themselves open, which isn’t the work of a moment – and the cabin is pleasant enough but lacks the wow-factor of the exterior. —Alistair Charlton, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025