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

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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
In the pantheon of home openers in the franchise’s 39 seasons, arguably only the 108-66 opening loss to the Chicago Bulls in 2006 — one that came on the heels of the franchise’s 2006 championship — felt more rancid. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 The Clippers were without key players Bradley Beal (right knee injury management), Brandon Ingram (right heel surgery) and Max Strus (right plantar fascia partial tear). — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 But there were more hilarious moments, the biggest being Tkachuk's full-on heel turn when the team showed a tribute video that got mercilessly booed by the crowd. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Obama coordinated with her guest and brother Craig Robinson’s head-to-toe denim looks, finishing off her look with a pair of medium-wash jeans and unexpected open-toe cognac brown leather platform heels. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 22 Oct. 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
  • That roller coaster of flavor and tenderness comes from dry-aging the steaks for 30 to 40 days in rum, and a marinade that involves both jerk spice and Onwuachi’s mother’s Creole green seasoning, a paste of herbs, aromatics and peppers.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This book includes nothing from Elain’s perspective; hopefully, the next book will prioritize her and possibly offer some magical explanation for why the rest of the Night Court has been such jerks to one another in this novel.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • The drift usually starts over a 40-foot ledge that quickly slopes down to about a 50-foot depth.
    — Bob Rocchetta as told to Al Ristori, Outdoor Life, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Any normal mattress would’ve been an improvement over our current one, a sub-$300 queen-size nightmare of sloping sides and too-springy springs.
    — Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of slope
Noun
  • After contracting the plague, he was banished to a cave, where a dog brought him bread and healed his wounds by licking them.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone seeking to adopt a dog or cat can fill out the adoption form on their website.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • Perhaps the script is unduly tilted by Ramos’ drawling, sincerely beguiling delivery.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Opposition parties have also alleged that the electoral roll revisions tilted the electoral field in the BJP’s favor in the West Bengal election held earlier this year, helping the party win power in the state for the first time.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of tilt
Noun
  • That’s not to jinx the master clown who’s currently doddering around in Argan’s shoes on Broadway.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In several descriptions of these amateur events, including some of his own, Hemingway sounds less like a matador than a rodeo clown.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of clown
Verb
  • Past winner Sam Rockwell is also a lock, while veteran John Leguizamo is angling for his first nomination.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Content creators have angled to become the food critics of the short-form video era, each with their own schtick or eccentricities.
    — Mia Sato, The Verge, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of angle
Noun
  • Connie’s sweet potato curry pie is inspired by a pet snake named Dave and looks like a delicious little cartoon.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Their soft robot, called BIOSENTER, is designed to autonomously inch through the crowded, cramped, and coiled small intestine, contracting and extending its body much like an earthworm or snake.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • But there is also no mistaking the distinct black-and-white fur and bushy tails of skunks.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Officials say the last animal confirmed to have rabies that wasn’t a bat was a skunk infected with the bat strain of rabies in Long Beach in 2014.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of skunk

Phrases Containing heel

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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 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heel

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