1
as in weight
the amount that something weighs
some synthetic fabrics are nice and warm, but I prefer wool because it has more heft
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly
as a former senator, he still had some heft in political circles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in bulk
archaic
the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts
the heft of the wainwright's business had been the building of hay wagons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position
heft your baggy gym shorts a little higher—you're showing us more than we care to see
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of heft
CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
These lists don’t include sports, of course, which would add even more broadcast heft to the rankers.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
Steven Searcy, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2025
Recursive self-awareness like this can trap a performance in a feedback loop, but Bassichis finds heft in thinking about what actual mainstream fame might mean to a gay comedian, both in Maya’s time and now.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heft
Noun
In targeting Saudi Arabia, Iran has brought in the diplomatic heft that comes with an attack on a regional leader.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
These lists don’t include sports, of course, which would add even more broadcast heft to the rankers.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Here in our yards, long years of earth have been hefted by hand and heaped up on tarps.
—Steven Searcy, IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2025
Recursive self-awareness like this can trap a performance in a feedback loop, but Bassichis finds heft in thinking about what actual mainstream fame might mean to a gay comedian, both in Maya’s time and now.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heft
Noun
-
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
General Daily Insight for April 02, 2026 Small choices carry surprising weight this morning.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In interviews with The Star, politicians, consultants and other political experts touted Graves’ ability to use his influence in Washington to bolster Kansas City’s most important projects.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Charlotte credited him and maternal grandfather Jeff Foy for being big influences on her softball path.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Because of inflation and changing consumer habits, many big name retailers have been forced to reduce their store footprints, with e-commerce taking up a higher bulk of sales.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Salt, a cornerstone of pickling, was transported in bulk from regions such as the North Sea and the salt mines of Poland, reaching markets across Europe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Recent floods had heaved mountains of driftwood and debris onto the shorelines.—
Joe Cermele,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There's no need to heave bagged clippings into a compost bin or scatter them over open soil.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Severino struggled with his control, walking five and throwing just 49 of his 91 pitches for strikes before he was lifted after 3 1/3 innings.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Trump has also made statements that lifted markets, only to see the gains quickly disappear after increasing his military threats.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Cook Islands, an archipelago of 15 islands in the vast South Pacific Ocean, is among many small nations in the region to be courted by Beijing, which has offered aid, loans and deals throughout the Pacific to increase its sway.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her body was found at a site along the Trinity River.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 31,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In their filing in Sacramento Superior Court, the residents accuse city officials of violating Measure O, which mandates that interim shelters sit more than 500 feet away from bodies of water or streams.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Each, by necessity, hoists the other by its bootstraps out of abject improbability.—
David W. Brown,
Scientific American,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Rodriguez landed on his knees, injuring his shoulder, and was hoisting himself back up when Hernandez allegedly targeted Williams, according to prosecutors.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Heft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heft. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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