1
as in hoisting
to lift with effort
hefted his growing son onto his shoulders
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lifting
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of hefting
Instead of hefting a heavy steel basket, Sanitation workers flip back half of the upper steel collar and pull out a lightweight plastic liner.
—
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Early the next morning, in the dark, prosecutors say, he was spotted on camera hefting a large, heavy object into his car trunk.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026
Early the next morning, in the dark, prosecutors say, he was spotted on camera hefting a large, heavy object into his car trunk.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hefting
Verb
-
That’s 22 golfers in all that history says have at least a shot at hoisting the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday night outside of Philadelphia.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Crews rigged a hoisting system using a ladder truck as a high point to raise the victim up to safety, according to fire officials.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of armed forces.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
-
Aside from these new big punchers, the new space age is seeing a plethora of new companies seeking to cut themselves a slice of the market for lifting small payloads, often in multi-satellite deployments, into low Earth orbit.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
At the Australian Open, the grounds were heaving and there were lengthy lines to get into smaller courts and for food and drink outlets.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
23 May 2026
-
Food and drink All-day restaurant Pure serves up a sprawling breakfast buffet complete with omelette and pancake stations, heaving tropical fruit platters, and baked goods galore, including Polynesian treats like coconut bread.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
Verb
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With the rebuilding ongoing Hart said Saturday’s gala is not just about raising funds, but also awareness.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
-
Walking is exercise proven to help ward off anxiety, depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s, while improving self-esteem and raising dopamine levels.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hefting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hefting. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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