heft 1 of 2

noun

ˈheft How to pronounce heft (audio)
Definition of heftnext
1
as in weight
the amount that something weighs some synthetic fabrics are nice and warm, but I prefer wool because it has more heft

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2
as in influence
the power to direct the thinking or behavior of others usually indirectly as a former senator, he still had some heft in political circles

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3
as in bulk
archaic the main or greater part of something as distinguished from its subordinate parts the heft of the wainwright's business had been the building of hay wagons

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heft

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to heave
to lift with effort hefted his growing son onto his shoulders

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2
as in to lift
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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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 heft
Noun
The looming question is whether European leaders, institutions, and citizens can pivot swiftly enough so that the bloc can use its economic heft to take responsibility for its own security. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026 Lee’s lines have the intimacy and metaphysical heft of prayer; their elegant recursions and repetitions call to mind the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
The judge also hefted an additional $250 fine to one person’s charge for taking rocks. — Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 12 Mar. 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 See All Example Sentences for heft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for heft
  1. weight
  2. influence
  3. bulk
  4. heave
  5. lift
  6. sway
  7. body
  8. hoist
Noun
  • Several of the organs around her neck had hemorrhaging, which was worse in her spleen, which Lew said could mean weight was applied to her body.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Retatrutide has produced some of the largest weight loss results reported in obesity drug trials to date, and Bikman said published data on the drug demonstrate substantial reductions in liver fat, triglycerides and fasting insulin.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • The traditional Pueblo architecture has touches of Native American and Western influences, along with European and Mexican motifs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Scotlandville will no longer be represented by a native son, someone who people believed instinctively understood their challenges and offered a direct line to power and influence in the nation’s capital.
    — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of influence
Noun
  • The fleece lining adds warmth without extra bulk, and the outer polyester material is water-resistant to protect against rain and snow.
    — Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The team’s leading receiver was Brycen Tremayne — Xavier Legette didn’t play at all with a knee injury and Jalen Coker missed a bulk of the second half with a quad injury.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of bulk
Verb
  • The game was sealed with an interception from freshman safety Jayden Jack, as Mater Dei freshman quarterback Paytyn Guess heaved the ball to the end zone with the Monarchs out of timeouts and out of options.
    — Caleb Otte, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • In Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers played in their franchise-record ninth consecutive one-score game, but Minnesota (3-0) held on, 23-16, after batting down a desperate Hail Mary heave as time expired.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of heave
Verb
  • The technology that investors and governments are counting on to lift the global economy is also adding pressure that threatens growth, the head of the International Monetary Fund said, urging policymakers to stop delaying painful choices on debt.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
  • From setting up special meals to just brightening days with smiles and genuine care, the staff here lift the already luxury experience to the next level.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of lift
Noun
  • The story plays out in New York’s cutthroat acting scene, where a talented Indian actor chasing his craft falls under the sway of Keitel’s teacher.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As Béatrice’s amateur detective work pulls her in deeper, the strands begin to suggest a conspiracy, one marked by mysterious disappearances and the clandestine sway of the Vatican.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sway
Noun
  • The third, Surrender, is a massage performed in water, in which the buoyancy and warmth allow the body to completely relax and let go.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The tomb’s entrance passage, with narrowing walls and descending axis, creates a liminal stage to orient the body before entering the burial chamber.
    — Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Verb
  • Mazda Motor’s flag and Japanese national flag are hoisted at the company headquarters in Fuchu-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan July 15, 2025.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Kevin Kopp hoists flag Former KU defensive lineman Kevin Kopp, a starter on the Jayhawks’ 1995 Aloha Bowl team, hoisted the Kansas flag in the southeast corner of the stadium in Saturday’s pregame flag-raising ceremony.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of hoist

Browse Nearby Words

heels
heft
hefted
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Cite this Entry

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

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