HEADS-UP Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

heads-up 1 of 2

noun

ˈhedz-ˈəp

Definition of heads-up

as in warning

the act or an instance of telling beforehand of danger or risk thanks for the heads-up about the upcoming visit from the corporate big shots

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heads-up

2 of 2

adjective

as in aware

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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 heads-up

Noun

Later, Carter Jensen hit an RBI double as Josh Rojas and Isaac Collins scored after some heads-up baserunning. — Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026 His assist was the product of heads-up processing, following through on Björck’s rush by moving the puck back to Björck in a dangerous position. — Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Adjective

One such means is to use modern-era AI to identify errors and apprise the therapist as a handy heads-up. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Caglianone soon scored the a go-ahead run on some heads-up baserunning. — Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heads-up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heads-up

Noun

Less than an hour after the first warning that a wildfire was headed for her suburban street, Boulder County resident Tawnya Somauroo's home was in ashes.

— LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
Crash reported on eastbound I-70 A traffic warning has been issued after a crash on I-70 between U P RR Service Road/Exit 421 and I-670/I-70.

— Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of warning

Adjective

In 2001, authorities became aware of the discrepancies surrounding Jamal’s immigration history, and he was eventually convicted of lying to immigration officials.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Painfully aware of this, Shawn waited for one of the drunk old men to comment, heckle, make one of those incomprehensible jokes that drew rude laughter from adults.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of aware

Adjective

Labor advocates who have studied pesticide regulation say the oversight gaps and failures to impose stiffer fines underscore the need for more vigilant enforcement.

— Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
But despite its appeal to tourists, the State Department is warning travelers to remain vigilant due to the threat of terrorism.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of vigilant

Adjective

While CIOs and CTOs have been keeping a watchful eye on rogue AI agents from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major AI labs, within enterprises, the bet on these autonomous systems is only getting bigger.

— John Kell, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son Barrett, entered a not guilty plea under the watchful eye of her husband, whom she is accused of attempting to poison.

— Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of watchful

Adjective

Shawn is a very observant child, who seems to carry on his shoulders a heavy burden of knowledge and responsibility.

— Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
French officials and many educators say secularism in public schools and other institutions protects less observant and nonreligious people from pressure while leaving everyone free to worship in private.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of observant

Browse Nearby Words

headstrong

heads-up

heads-ups

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Heads-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heads-up. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of heads-up

noun

adjective

Example Sentences

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