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heel 1 of 2

noun

ˈhēl How to pronounce heel (audio)
Definition of heelnext
as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others felt like a heel when she found out that she'd blamed the wrong person

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

heel

2 of 2

verb

as in to slope
to set or cause to be at an angle the strong gust heeled the sailboat almost to the point of capsizing, but we managed to right it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 heel
Noun
Clooney complemented her bright yellow dress with a stack of dark brown, yellow, and black bangle bracelets, gold earrings, metallic gold leather wedge heels, and her signature oversized black sunglasses. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 19 Sep. 2026 This is an issue that, to my mind, keeps nipping at the heels of the current crop of directorial It Boys. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 Wear it with tights, boots, and a thick sweater for a day at the pumpkin patch, or dress it up with heels and a pretty blouse for a dinner date. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 With its low heel, rounded toe, and high vamp—plus its vibrant bubblegum hue—the shoe offered a touch of ’80s glam to her otherwise businesslike look. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heel
  1. jerk
  2. slope
  3. dog
  4. tilt
  5. clown
  6. angle
  7. snake
  8. skunk
Noun
  • According to children’s program manager Fedeline Julien, who has worked for Beaches since 1999, the area where Treasure Beach stands used to be dedicated to beach parties, team member residences, and the jerk truck.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • In late August, Mayor Mamdani hosted a celebration of Caribbean culture at Gracie Mansion with plenty of patties and jerk chicken to go around.
    — Reshma B, VIBE.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • From that restaurant Cardoso could look out the window and see sloping hills and Lucas’ Wagyu cows raised there on the farm.
    — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • In 1947, French fashion designer Christian Dior debuted a curvy, hourglass style that emphasized a full bust, cinched waist, and sloping hips.
    — April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of slope
Noun
  • For dogs that stress out easily or suffer from anxiety, these collars could also increase their stress levels when left on too long.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The survival thriller, directed by David Ayer, follows a Special Forces officer and his combat dog who, after a devastating plane crash, get stranded deep in the Alaskan wilderness.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Anything less and the balance of the Heat’s offseason — and future — tilts toward an abyss.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The highly unusual plan prompted an immediate response from California, the most populous state, which held a successful referendum to tilt its map toward Democrats.
    — Matt Brown, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of tilt
Noun
  • The excessiveness of Ken Russell, Joe Coleman, Tasha Tudor, clowns, migraines, Priscilla Presley, and the Winchester Mystery House.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • After that brilliant clown went bust, the stocks started going up.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of clown
Verb
  • The young star keeps her arms locked and angled away from her torso (think Weapons) to prevent her limbs from sticking to her wardrobe.
    — Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Prime Video is angling to take over the telecast of the Television Academy’s most important night, Variety and THR reported today.
    — Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of angle
Noun
  • Cellphone camera footage broadcast by CBS Los Angeles shows the snake on a beach at night and someone trying to use what appears to be the base of a palm frond to pick it up and toss it back into the water.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Jackie Aguilar came upon the snake while walking on the beach in Crystal Cove with her family last Friday night.
    — Lesley Marin, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • Rabies is spread through bites and scratches from infected animals — most often bats, foxes, raccoons and skunks — and is almost always fatal once symptoms begin, though a four-to-five-shot vaccine given after exposure is nearly 100% effective.
    — The Sacramento Bee staff, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The National Aviary is likely to announce the skunks' names during the second week of October.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of skunk

Phrases Containing heel

Browse Nearby Words

hee-haws
heel
heeled
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Cite this Entry

“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heel. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heel

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