heel 1 of 2

noun

ˈhēl How to pronounce heel (audio)
Definition of heelnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

heel

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
News of the TriBeCa branch closure comes on the heels of a series of changes at the gallery, with cofounder Roland Augustine retiring at the beginning of this year, after forty years of dealing. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026 The singer accessorized with a pair of mesh peep-toe Chanel shoes with a lucite heel and a Dior Diva bag from John Galliano’s tenure. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 Parker paired the sparkly heels with a custom long-sleeve, semi-sheer Simone Rocha midlength dress. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 Then again, the timing of the announcement—coming on the heels of a major social media uproar—makes the possibility likely. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heel
  1. jerk
  2. slope
  3. dog
  4. tilt
  5. clown
  6. angle
  7. snake
  8. skunk
Noun
  • Bella’s childhood friend Angus (Jake Simmance), a corporate jerk, condescendingly probes Johnny about his career.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There was significant excitement over the first-look footage revealing perhaps the world’s biggest movie star transforming himself to become a portly, gray-haired jerk in an offbeat feature focusing on climate change.
    — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of jerk
Verb
  • As the moon moves eastwards along that low-sloping path, much of its nightly movement is sideways along the horizon rather than steeply down below it.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026
  • McConnell and Florjancic blasted tee shots on the 414-yard par-4, leaving both within 100 yards of the steep, downhill-sloping green.
    — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of slope
Noun
  • Sheriff’s cadaver dogs, deputies with shovels and a backhoe were seen at work.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Lead and cadmium exposure has been linked to canine cancer, a leading cause of death in dogs.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of dog
Verb
  • As a result, these solid outer layers can tilt and slide around the planet’s liquid inner core beneath as the planet works to redistribute its mass.
    — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Sierra tilted his head down throughout Jaen-Rosello’s testimony.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of tilt
Noun
  • The brand featured a thematic clown mascot and the beloved product was sold in famously reusable glassware.
    — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026
  • What followed were Zoom-inclusive mediation meetings, the revelation of tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and something about clown school.
    — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of clown
Verb
  • Presidents angled for monuments honoring their predecessors, not themselves.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Sep. 2026
  • When play resumed, Pettaway busted through Bowling Green's kick coverage, angled toward the right sideline and picked up a key block from Dominic Overby on his way to a 100-yard touchdown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of angle
Noun
  • The public got the message, with some parents keeping their children indoors while police and herpetologists scoured that backyard for the snake.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Then there’s snake, tiger, zebra, and deer print…cow print is still hanging around too.
    — Fiona Ward, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of snake
Noun
  • In North Carolina, rabies cases are most commonly found in raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health and Health Administration Rafael Vieira told UNC Charlotte.
    — Eva Flowe October 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In California, bats and skunks are the animals that most often get rabies, according to the state health department.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of skunk

Phrases Containing heel

Browse Nearby Words

hee-haws
heel
heeled
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Cite this Entry

“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heel. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on heel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heel

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