HEDGES Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

hedges 1 of 2

noun

plural of hedge

as in fences

a physical object that blocks the way the messenger was confronted with a hedge of spears held aloft by the castle guards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hedges

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hedge

as in weasels

to avoid giving a definite answer or position kept hedging whenever asked for an opinion on the matter

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as in houses

to close or shut in by or as if by barriers the prison was hedged by a high stone wall

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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 hedges

Noun

Some cities set a maximum hedge height, while existing hedges over that limit may be grandfathered in if registered within a certain time period. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 8 Nov. 2026 The airline was kept in the black by a healthy cargo business and fuel hedges. — semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Formal hedges require frequent pruning, about every six weeks, to keep their distinct shapes intact using electric hedge trimmers to shear the surface. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2026 Tucked behind tall gates and hedges, the contemporary-style build, designed by Jae Omar, spans nearly 15,000 square feet. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026 The agent appeared to point their gun at the neighbor’s face before shoving him into a row of hedges. — Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026 Maintain Exterior Cleanliness Another important mouse-proofing step is to remove any debris near your home and trim back bushes and hedges that can become hiding places for mice in the winter. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 1 Nov. 2026 Secured gates open to a driveway flanked by mature privacy hedges. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2026 Airline fuel costs are about to jump as carriers’ hedges expire, AirAsia co-founder Tony Fernandes warned. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

Let’s hope this regime is wise enough to see that Willis hasn’t done enough to be viewed as the final answer, at least not yet, and hedges its bets by drafting a quarterback early in 2027, or acquiring an upgrade in free agency or via trade. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 14 Nov. 2026 Apple hedges across the supply chain, but these price rises illustrate systemic long-term pressure rather than short-term variations. — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 For example, low-cost Irish airline Ryanair currently hedges 80% of its jet fuel costs, giving them a significant competitive advantage when fuel prices increase. — Tiago Ventura, Time, 26 June 2026 With a minimal, yet still impactful, pastel floral design, the rug hedges its saccharine design with ample negative space. — Briana Feigon, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026 Neville hedges his bet by filling us in on Michaels’ spotlight apprehension, making his reticence a through line. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Below the threshold, AI hedges your brand or ignores it. — Jason Barnard, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2026 Royal Caribbean, which hedges roughly 60% of its fuel costs, was less affected than Norwegian and Carnival. — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Newsom hedges his bets by portraying the budget as a placeholder that covers little more than spending increases driven by law, inflation and caseload until more revenue data are received. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hedges

Noun

That hog tore up more fences, broke more gates, broke the backs of more female hogs and was chased by more hunters than any critter there has ever been in this country.

— Jack Wingate as told to John Phillips, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2026
The project also includes replacing the bridge railings, fences and median barrier.

— Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of fences

Noun

Moments later, Velez's wife bursts through a doorway screaming, and the boy runs toward his mother as the walls break apart around them.

— Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2026
Years earlier, while working as a school janitor, King had cleaned the girls’ locker room and noticed the sanitary napkin dispensers mounted on the walls.

— Chris Nashawaty, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of walls

Verb

Places like Los Angeles and Oakland have high permit fees and strict zoning that often confines cans to industrial areas.

— Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
In an industry that often confines its actors, especially women and especially Black women, Hall continues to carve a path defined by risk, depth and courage.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Nov. 2025

Definition of confines

Noun

The pumpkin smash lanes were separated by barricades and Morton Grove personnel swept and scooped up the pumpkin and gourd parts, dropping recyclables into a wheelbarrow and then placing them into the scoop of a tractor.

— Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2026
In two separate but similar incidents, suspects also rammed vehicles into security barricades near the White House in March 2026 and October 2025.

— Bonny Chu , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026