HECK Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

heck

noun

ˈhek

Definition of heck

as in hell

a state in which everything is out of order it looks like heck in that boy's bedroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 heck Be a menace to people in the community, driving his boat 70 to 80 miles per hour, driving around scaring the heck out of people, taking people's lives. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Also, the end-credits scene where a modern-day Carol meets the Avengers is one heck of a flash-forward tease. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 The Giants would’ve had to play one heck of a game on Friday night at Petco Park to salvage a day where the team suspended payment to Harrison Bader due to last weekend’s scooter accident. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2026 His film is likable as heck but never quite achieves liftoff. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for heck

Recent Examples of Synonyms for heck

Noun

National Treasure 3 has been long discussed but remained in development hell for almost two full decades.

— Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026
For six years and five seasons, Netflix’s treasure-hunting drama Outer Banks has put its North Carolina teens through absolute hell just to keep viewers hooked.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of hell

Noun

His worldview has brought nothing but havoc to Americans, whereas Parton provided a guidebook for a national redemption.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
After a stop in the NFL, former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright could be heading to LSU thanks to a court order that is creating havoc throughout college sports by allowing Wright and others an unexpected fifth year of eligibility.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of havoc

Noun

The defense was organized and rebounded well from some early breakdowns on stretch running plays, and Petrino’s offense doesn’t look like the mess Freddie Kitchens’ group was last year.

— Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
In another drawing, a Cubist mess of igloos and sandcastles lay in a heap.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of mess

Browse Nearby Words

hebetude

heck

heckle

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Heck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/heck. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of heck

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes