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
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
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Recent Examples of heel
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 June 2025
The layoffs come on the heels of several staffing changes at the church in recent months.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025
Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025
The negotiations that led to the deal, recounted in interviews with people briefed on the matter, demonstrate Mr. Trump’s new strategy for bringing law firms to heel.
—Ben Protess, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heel
Noun
Instead of being forced to flee his home and start over somewhere new, John Dutton (Kevin Costner) digs in his boot heels.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 19 June 2025
The layoffs come on the heels of several staffing changes at the church in recent months.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 June 2025
Verb
People in Trump's orbit have talked for years about placing big new taxes on endowment revenue as a way of bringing universities to heel.
—Ars Staff, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2025
The negotiations that led to the deal, recounted in interviews with people briefed on the matter, demonstrate Mr. Trump’s new strategy for bringing law firms to heel.
—Ben Protess, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heel
Verb
-
Unwind by the Atlantic With sloping sand dunes, swaying beach grass and unbeatable views of the surf and sky, the beaches of the Outer Banks are a perfect place to spend an afternoon.—
Kate Lewis,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
-
In fact, a wide, sloping fairway gathers balls back to center.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
But in politics — as in life —there’s a fine line between being genuine and being a jerk.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
-
Smoky, spicy jerk is also on the menu in the Pulled Jerk Pork & Coconut Shrimp appetizer at Eleanor’s at Sandals Grande Antigua.—
Sandals Resorts,
AFAR Media,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
On monthly Red Mirror Party nights, the whole space tilts into extravagance: live shows, flowing Champagne, and a dress code best described as ‘shiny’.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
Wealth growth was tilted strongly toward North America, propelled by a stable U.S. dollar and upbeat financial markets, according to UBS analysts.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
Noun
-
According to LifeLine, the DeKalb shelter takes in 135 dogs a week on average.—
Jim Gaines,
ajc,
13 Sep. 2023
-
Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
-
India, meanwhile, is angling for Trump World to exempt its economy from sectoral tariffs on autos and steel and reciprocal taxes.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett are angling for the starting position, and rookies Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are angling to also start somehow, but possibly land a third-string situation.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 June 2025
Noun
-
Among the players connected to the disappearance are a wide and varied cast of Austin characters: an up-and-coming boxer who crossed the border from Mexico under strange circumstances, a rookie cop determined to crack the case, a grifter clown (figurative and literal).—
Lucas Schaefer
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
-
As the animals fought, brass bands played and clowns entertained.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Potential signs of a snake bite include swelling, bruising, pain, drooling and weakness.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
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However, contrary to popular belief, cobras aren’t the fastest strikers in the snake world.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
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While bears are easily the biggest fear in some parks, a pack of hungry racoons or an inquisitive skunk aren’t to be messed with either.—
Geoffrey Morrison,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
Right before arriving at our campsite, a skunk ran across the front of the car, did a handstand, and then disappeared into the scrub.—
Benji Jones,
Vox,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heel. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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