hem 1 of 2

noun

ˈhem How to pronounce hem (audio)
Definition of hemnext
as in edge
the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something the hem of the blouse was gold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hem

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to haw

Related Words

Dissimilar Words
2
as in to margin

Related Words

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 hem
Noun
For the red-carpet event, Amal opted to wear a black figure-hugging evening gown with a ruched texture and contrasting side panels that stretched from under her arms to the hem of her skirt. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026 In the 1910s, hems rose a few inches higher—in a practical and patriotic response to the Great War—and opaque fine mesh styles in geometric patterns became popular. — April White, JSTOR Daily, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
In the midst of it all, young children decked out in Algerian gear hemmed and hawed at their idols. — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026 Conversely, an outside CEO would be hemmed in by these regulations once the founder departs. — Alejandro Cárdenas Villa, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hem
  1. edge
  2. haw
  3. margin
  4. circumference
  5. fringe
  6. perimeter
  7. border
  8. edging
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Verb
  • In the midst of it all, young children decked out in Algerian gear hemmed and hawed at their idols.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • Still, this is 10 straight minutes of absolute peppering, and 10 minutes of hemming and hawing from Schefter.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of haw
Verb
  • Most finance leaders can tell you their revenue and margin to the decimal point.
    — Nick Chandi, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But with Medicare Advantage costs moderating, analysts said the risk to earnings has decreased and margin progress next year can be meaningful.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 13 July 2026
Definition of margin
Noun
  • All but one of the other circumference measurements were between 4 4⁄8 and 5 inches.
    — Richard P. Smith, Outdoor Life, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Should people be measuring their waist circumference in addition to knowing their BMI?
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of circumference
Verb
  • Fabrics include Mikado, organza, lace, tulle and charmeuse, while embellishments run the gamut from beading and feathers to fringe, sequins and metals.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Beach villas fringe the sandy shoreline, hidden behind towering palms and lush greenery and each with giant private pools.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fringe
Noun
  • The outdoor cinema is wrapped by a rough-hewn Brutalist perimeter—half-lined with concrete cubes, the other half enclosed with planks salvaged from the boardwalk destroyed during Hurricane Sandy.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Nearly 6,000 homeless people could be forced to move when security officials impose expansive security perimeters in advance of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, researchers estimated in a new study.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of perimeter
Verb
  • Castro was initially arrested in May in the Minnesota case, and he was held in custody in Brownsville, Texas, a city bordering Mexico, while Minnesota officials sought his extradition.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Instead, the project will be slow and meticulous to ensure no dust or debris falls onto the neighboring railroad tracks which border the mill on all sides.
    — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of border
Noun
  • After spending eight hours Sunday cutting, edging, shredding, digging and ripping at things in the yard and in the garage, my advice to younger readers is to invest in high-quality tools.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The great diversity of forms available lend themselves to foundation plantings, edging and low hedges, as well as architectural accents and reliable container plantings.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of edging

Phrases Containing hem

Browse Nearby Words

helves
hem
he-man
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hem. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of empirical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All