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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
  1. tilting
  2. sloping
  3. leaning
  4. angling
Verb
  • Its air taxi uses six tilting electric propellers to rise vertically before transitioning into forward flight.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Or maybe the causality flows the other way, and the parity era has shifted into a new phase where the best way to build a winner is to acquire as much star power as possible without tilting your balance too far toward the truly elite.
    — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of tilting
Verb
  • Cut at a 45-degree angle, sloping down toward the center of the rosebush.
    — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout much of 2022, and again from 2024 through today, the 200-day line has been sloping lower and acting as resistance instead of support.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of sloping
Verb
  • According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, signs a backpack may be too heavy include a child leaning forward to support its weight or having difficulty walking.
    — Cheyanne Mumphrey, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Wind Or Storm Damage Another potential reason for a leaning tree could be damage from storms or high winds.
    — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of leaning
Verb
  • But what’s been clear through one week of camp is that the players angling for extensions have made strong early impressions.
    — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Gosling, who was nominated for a best supporting actor Oscar for his role as Ken, is angling to raise his pay to $20 million.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of angling

Browse Nearby Words

heeled
heeling
heels
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Cite this Entry

“Heeling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heeling. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heeling

Nglish: Translation of heeling for Spanish Speakers

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