HEELING Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

heeling

verb

present participle of heel

as in tilting

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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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 heeling In order to keep the lightweight watercraft from heeling over completely, crew members frantically scurry back and forth onto planks that are suspended out above the water on each side, rising and falling like seasick seesaws. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 15 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heeling

Verb

On the dashboard, radar whines – tilting higher in pitch the faster cars go.

— Sarah Matusek, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026
Some Cardinals players were spotted in their dugout ahead of the game sporting crooked caps, and one player incorporated a slight hat-tilting motion into his post-hit celebration.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of tilting

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 sloping

Verb

Their support in the last election was strongest in areas with high Muslim populations, with party members attending demonstrations with Muslim Brotherhood-adjacent groups and Gaza protests organized by Islamist-leaning networks.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The Detroit automaker said the changes are meant to give customers more choice and help expand sales of key models, a strategy Ford has been leaning into under CEO Jim Farley.

— Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of leaning

Verb

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
And then there’s the real Hansen, who has been angling his way into the rollout with countless interviews and comments about the film.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of angling

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heeled

heeling

heels

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“Heeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heeling. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of heeling

verb

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