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 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
  • How long can a country punch above its weight before someone needs to check the scales?
    — Jan Larsson, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • According to the National Institutes of Health, different eating plans can support weight loss, but the most effective approach depends on a person's individual health needs, preferences and ability to maintain the habits long-term.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 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
  • Blurred boundaries Measuring global functional connectivity—how much influence each patch of cortex exerts over the rest—the team found that, when participants had their eyes closed, sensory regions lost sway while associative regions gained.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of sway
Noun
  • Its members are independent producers, with no studios, conglomerates or state bodies involved.
    — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Yet no official body seems to have been in charge of vetting them.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of body
Verb
  • Once there, the kits need to be hoisted up to the wind turbine, which is both time-consuming and potentially dangerous.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The helicopter crew hoisted Granbery from the trail and flew her to a nearby landing zone.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 8 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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