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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Sierra 1500 is powerful and accelerates with ease despite its heft. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 July 2026 The torrent’s force moved boulders more than 20 feet in diameter and weighing more than 275 tons, equivalent to the heft of more than 150 Subaru Outbacks. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 27 July 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
  • Some look at a 69-68 record and disagree, but Crane’s is the only opinion that carries any weight.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Intermittent fasting is a popular dietary approach that many people follow to manage their weight.
    — Teresa Maalouf, Verywell Health, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of weight
Noun
  • Still, oil's influence extends far beyond the professional traders and companies that dominate its market.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • When the internet is rife with influence and inspiration, who gets credit when someone is compelled to buy something online?
    — Tom Matsuda, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of influence
Noun
  • Both lightweight and practical, the layering piece is designed to combat fall chill and rain without too much bulk.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 20 Aug. 2026
  • To eliminate excess bulk, separate your medication into this slim yet spacious Fyy Travel Pill Organizer.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of bulk
Verb
  • The Smith experience is always going to be a roller coaster, impressive feats of accuracy and arm talent mixed with desperation heaves and maddening turnovers.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The Dream missed their final shot, Clark grabbed the rebound and alertly heaved the ball to the other end of the court to run out the remaining few seconds.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of heave
Verb
  • But the flood of money is also lifting stocks in tech, infrastructure, energy, and construction, delivering gains across generations.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Latest drone footage from CCTV shows rescue workers using lifting equipment in an attempt to restore and rebuild a road by the turbulent currents and in between the towering mountains.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of lift
Noun
  • Softening rather than stiffening when moving through space requires embracing your body’s natural sway and tiny micro-movements, like an ankle wobbling or knee jiggling.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That’s given Betancourt tremendous sway in Venezuelan oil circles, the people said, in spite of years of investigations in Europe, the US and Venezuela over allegations of corruption, money laundering and tax fraud.
    — Fabiola Zerpa, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of sway
Noun
  • The eight-member body oversees McCuskey’s work and consists of four Democratic and four Republican legislators, including Keicher.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than just a reproductive issue, endometriosis is a whole-body condition, affecting everything from emotional regulation to hormone production and gut health.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of body
Verb
  • The remarkable moment was captured on video shared by the fire department, which shows one of the bears hoisting itself to the top of the large tank before jumping into some bushes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • In McDuffie’s first two seasons, the Chiefs won the Super Bowl, then came up short of being the first team in NFL history to hoist a Lombardi Trophy in three consecutive years.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

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