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
Roses planted too late in fall risk heaving from freeze–thaw cycles or suffering root injury before dormancy.
—
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Darcey continued heaving in the car, which left Georgi grossed out.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
And, in what is now Ecuador, there was a forest with a heaving ancient ecosystem.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Since 2023, the actor has regularly been photographed at the Studio City Farmers Market, arms—and Bode tote—heaving with tulips, pincushions, sunflowers, and sea lavender.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025
Darcey continued heaving in the car, which left Georgi grossed out.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
And, in what is now Ecuador, there was a forest with a heaving ancient ecosystem.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
But drawing an over-aggressive, poor-technique personal foul on a 60-yard attempt for a guy trying a field goal 12 yards longer than any attempt in his career is akin to fouling a basketball player heaving a three-quarters court shot at the buzzer while trailing by two.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025
Since 2023, the actor has regularly been photographed at the Studio City Farmers Market, arms—and Bode tote—heaving with tulips, pincushions, sunflowers, and sea lavender.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heaving
Verb
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More than 1,000 robots work alongside almost 1,500 humans, hoisting, stamping and welding in robotic unison.—
Marc Lieberman,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Photos show someone sitting on another person’s shoulders hoisting a Champagne bottle with a sparkler attached up to the sound-insulating foam on the ceiling.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In clinical trials, Nereus helped up to 90 percent of people prone to motion sickness avoid vomiting while riding on a boat.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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The predominant symptoms experienced by the ill passengers and crew members were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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In 2024, in first (partial) year in his new no-heavy-lifting sinecure, Lowy pocketed $351,050.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
7 Jan. 2026
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With the shot clock running down, Lopez swung the ball back to the other side, with Sanders waiting to retrieve it after lifting from the corner.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After throwing for just 241 total yards in wins over Texas A&M and Ohio State to start Miami’s postseason journey, Beck completed 23 of 37 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and had the game-clinching rushing touchdown.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
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This happened after a number of protesters began throwing snowballs at federal vehicles on the scene.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Your dog starts panting and won’t settle down.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
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Her husband was a bear — wild, panting, with sweat pasting his T-shirt to his chest.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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On a recent morning in midtown Manhattan, Spike Lee blows on an imaginary pair of dice before hurling them to the ground.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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As both sides scream at each other, a female customer is seen hurling a fallen burger at one of the employees, the outlet reported.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is measured in the millions of students striving for opportunity—most of them raising children, working jobs, serving in uniform, or making rent and mortgage payments with other bills competing for their attention.—
Yolanda Watson Spiva,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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One person might earn more while the other contributes in different but equally meaningful ways, like managing the home, raising kids and planning for the future.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Instead of tossing your cords into your carry-on and hoping for the best, keep your tech essentials organized with this compact $10 electronics organizer from Fyy.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
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Montana State players jumped around at midfield, some tossing their helmets, to celebrate the team’s first national championship since 1984.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heaving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heaving. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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