as in bastard
a person whose behavior is offensive to others
felt like a heel when she found out that she'd blamed the wrong person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to slope
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 heel
Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Broadcom — Shares of the chipmaker slipped about 2% before the opening bell, on the heels of lackluster free cash flow in the second quarter.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Whereas the other examples at places like Harvard and Columbia is the Trump administration more or less trying to bring higher education to heel, by making an example of some of the most visible universities, where there have been the most visible pro-Palestinian campus protests over the last year.
—Devan Schwartz, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heel
Noun
Speaking on the eve of the Pacers-Thunder opener, Minnich said the Finals sell-through is at 80%, with scatter demand coming in hot on the heels of a 7% year-over-year ratings boost for the 27 playoff games on ESPN and ABC.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
Broadcom — Shares of the chipmaker slipped about 2% before the opening bell, on the heels of lackluster free cash flow in the second quarter.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Verb
Along with that case closing with the help of undercover FBI agent Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), drug smuggling, human trafficking and corruption among the border patrol is brought to heel by tribal police sergeant Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten).
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025
Whereas the other examples at places like Harvard and Columbia is the Trump administration more or less trying to bring higher education to heel, by making an example of some of the most visible universities, where there have been the most visible pro-Palestinian campus protests over the last year.
—Devan Schwartz, Vox, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heel
Verb
-
Lake Norman State Park offers a long, gently sloping swim beach, lots of shade, picnic areas, hiking trails and even mountain biking routes.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2025
-
The tranquil spaces blend streamlined, minimalist interiors with Korean architectural features like gently sloping tiled roofs, and antique paintings and furniture span the Joseon Dynasty era (14th–20th centuries).—
Leslie Patrick,
AFAR Media,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
As part of Gabriel’s solution to showing Ansari’s character that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the Hollywood, the well-meaning angel body-swaps him with an uber-rich jerk, played by Seth Rogen.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2025
-
The left horse just wanted to shamble along, while the right horse pulled with frantic jerks.—
Louise Erdrich,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Verb
-
Roll your shoulders, tilt your head, or twist your torso, preferably from your ergonomic chair!—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Through the large storefront window stands a digital display system known as the Chandelier, which, suspended from the ceiling, can tilt, rise and descend, or serve as an illuminated display feature.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
Responding officers found the dog, and advised the owner to take the dog in.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
13 Sep. 2023
-
Police brought in hundreds of law enforcement personnel with dogs, armored carriers, horses and helicopters that circled overhead.—
Maryclaire Dale, Marc Levy and Michael Rubinkam,
Anchorage Daily News,
13 Sep. 2023
Verb
-
In the years since, Stovall has enjoyed great success angling.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
-
With two on and no outs, Yamamoto raced off the mound to field a bunt that first baseman Freddie Freeman misread, anticipating Cleveland second baseman Will Wilson to angle the ball up the third-base line.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Fans can also look forward to performances by the iconic Silver Spurs Quadrille, the adorable antics of kids competing in Mutton Bustin’, and plenty of laughs courtesy of the ever-entertaining rodeo clowns.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 2025
-
His wife, Susan, a sweet woman with short grey hair, worked as a dental hygienist and performed as a clown named Jubilee at hospitals, nursing homes, parties — even the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Just a few weeks ago, Pippen encountered a snake inside the place.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
31 May 2025
-
Bob Wexler, a local expert birder, will provide information about birds and their habitats. — A wrangler from Gatorland will bring alligators, snakes, lizards and more to the library during a Gatorland Live event at 11 a.m. and noon June 6.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Noun
-
Wafting down the normally quiet halls were the sounds of whistles, shouting— and the unmistakable smell of a skunk.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
5 June 2025
-
Until then, the best chance to see them is at the skunk training demonstrations in The Loft at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heel. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share