heels 1 of 2

plural of heel

heels

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of heel
as in slopes
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 heels
Noun
Digging in your heels invites trouble as Mercury conflicts Pluto. Usa Today, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025 On the heels of Karen’s sentencing, the women gather at Gizelle’s house to commiserate, and spend the whole scene dancing between concern, empathy, and absurdity. Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 The cause of the fire remains unknown as the investigation continues, but the timing of the incident immediately sparked buzz, arriving on the heels of several politically motivated attacks. Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 Welcome back Jawaan Taylor The Chiefs’ right tackle has returned to Jacksonville — as an opponent — before, but this return is particularly notable on the heels of last Sunday’s game. Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2025 In another shot, she’s dressed up in a black ensemble with heels and a pop of white on the collar. Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025 Slingback heels have been present on and off the runway during Paris Fashion Week, but the trend has been taking over over the last two years. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025 Foldable flats Speaking of shoes, these compact and lightweight flats can be a versatile swap for bulky sandals, slides, and heels. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2025 On the heels of Humberto, Imelda could track even closer to Bermuda, with potential for a direct landfall Wednesday into Thursday. Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
The model wore white socks with her Manolo Blahnik heels with a buckle detail. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025 Amanu, the youngest, is the most experimental, wearing business casual ties and button downs one day and trying on a sequined dress and heels the next. Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heels
Noun
  • The 2-year-old appears to have gotten out into the backyard and opened a kennel where two Rottweilers were being kept, allowing the dogs to get out and attack him, the Valdosta Police Department said in a statement.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The ‘dogs’ proved so popular, in fact, that the 1966 World Cup group game between France and Uruguay had to be moved across London to White City as Wembley’s owners refused to cancel its regular Friday night meeting.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The sequel sees Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell attempt to take a family vacation, only to cross paths with violent jerks played by Colin Hanks and Sharon Stone.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The mechanism feels smooth and sturdy—no awkward jerks or wobbles.
    Zoë Sessums, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The screenwriter, Nora Garrett, has achieved an amusingly florid Hollywood simulacrum—one that tilts into knowing parody—of an intensely self-regarding world.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • There’s an action and then a reaction, as if the gravity of his presence tilts the opposition’s structure in his direction.
    Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, another modification the company will make to Super Heavy — though not one included for Flight 10 — will help gain some of those attack angles back.
    Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The style is cut with a low décolleté and rounded toe, set on a curved block heel that angles inward for an architectural profile.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Noun
  • More than a decade later, the series continues to reimagine American histories and channel primal fears — from clowns and cults, to witches and ghosts — with each installment cloaked in social commentary and camp.
    James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
  • But that won't ease the fears of anyone who categorizes clowns as monsters.
    Marci Robin, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rabies can be found in many other wildlife species, including raccoons, skunks, coyotes and foxes.
    Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
  • After World War I, fur remained a status garment, though lower-cost furs like skunk, mole, and musquash entered mainstream winter wear.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Serpentarium visitors can meet and pet Fáfnir and a number of snakes and alligators at the grand opening, Wilson said.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The entire concert is a spectacle — all black and red, smoke and snakes.
    Janey Tracey, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Heels.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heels. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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