1
as in hoisting
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
2
as in vomiting
to discharge the contents of the stomach through the mouth
heaved as soon as he stepped off the roller coaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in lifting
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
4
as in throwing
to send through the air especially with a quick forward motion of the arm
heaved the brick over the fence
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in panting
to breathe hard, quickly, or with difficulty
by the time he reached the top step of the tower, he was heaving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of heaving
As the fugitive car careered along the narrow road, the passenger started heaving out hindquarters of venison.
—
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The feel of heaving the Mini’s wheel through tight corners, occasionally fighting kickback from the wide tires, gives way to a newfound finesse.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
The Iranian announcer was heaving.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Then the Ducks started launching citrus fruit left and right, with Benson heaving one toward the stands, trying to reach his little brothers.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Every gesture, breath, line delivery is heaving with the labor of just trying to get through one day to the next.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Some plants with very shallow roots, such as heuchera, astilbe, gaillardia, and strawberry, can be damaged by heaving or uplift of soils caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Set in 1970 suburban Massachusetts, Reichardt's take on the heist genre saw O'Connor laboriously heaving art through a hay barn to comedic effect.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
On the final play of the first half of Sunday's matchup, Mayfield went down in a significant amount of pain after heaving a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Dave Duffey, Outdoor Life, 26 Mar. 2026
The feel of heaving the Mini’s wheel through tight corners, occasionally fighting kickback from the wide tires, gives way to a newfound finesse.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
The Iranian announcer was heaving.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Then the Ducks started launching citrus fruit left and right, with Benson heaving one toward the stands, trying to reach his little brothers.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Every gesture, breath, line delivery is heaving with the labor of just trying to get through one day to the next.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Some plants with very shallow roots, such as heuchera, astilbe, gaillardia, and strawberry, can be damaged by heaving or uplift of soils caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025
Set in 1970 suburban Massachusetts, Reichardt's take on the heist genre saw O'Connor laboriously heaving art through a hay barn to comedic effect.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
On the final play of the first half of Sunday's matchup, Mayfield went down in a significant amount of pain after heaving a Hail Mary pass towards the end zone.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heaving
Verb
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People spanning the width of the streets are passionately chanting and hoisting their picket signs in a patriotic parade, of sorts.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
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Now, in 2026, there is once again hope that the Knights can end the year hoisting the Open Division title above their heads for the first time.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Worrisome symptoms that warrant a call to a doctor include dizziness, ongoing diarrhea with a fever over 102 degrees and an inability to keep liquids down without vomiting.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
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Research shows that 81 percent of mountaineers experience nausea and/or vomiting as a result.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Classical music groups in the Twin Cities are rising to the task, with offerings aimed at lifting the spirit, probing the soul, and creating a hopeful vision forward.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
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The diesel shock could force some truckers to park their rigs — lifting rates for operators left standing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gonzales is certainly a name to watch in Charlotte’s quarterback battle, throwing for 6,682 yards, 51 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions spanning three years at Western Carolina.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
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Residents say the suspect started throwing mason jars full of black liquid at officers.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
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User @briadeshaun took a more relatable route and impersonated an out-of-shape owl, worn out from flying and repeatedly panting to catch its breath.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The thing is an almost-four-hour-long continuous explosion — actors dancing, grappling, and hurling furniture; the director present onstage ripping pieces out of the set; paint and blood and flowers and feathers everywhere.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Mar. 2026
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At a time when many job seekers liken the search to hurling applications into a black hole, going old-school helped Manaois get hers in front of an actual person.—
Sarah Jackson,
CNBC,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unseasonably warm temperatures continue to take a toll on Colorado's snowpack, raising concerns about dangerous avalanche conditions across the high country.—
Callie Zanandrie,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Past grand juries have issued reports raising awareness of shady land deals, questionable legislative appropriations and officials slow-walking public records requests.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cook, tossing occasionally, until bright green and blistered in some spots, but still crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Mar. 2026
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Cook, tossing often, until celery is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heaving. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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