head and shoulders

adverb

Definition of head and shouldersnext
as in definitely
by a considerable margin a performance that was head and shoulders above all the others in the talent competition

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 head and shoulders Preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Storm Prediction Center shows Illinois leading the rankings across the country, head and shoulders above the traditional Tornado Alley areas of Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 While Knicks fans will remember the 2025-26 NBA season forever, there are a handful of moments that stand head and shoulders above the rest. — Mark Prussin, CBS News, 18 June 2026 Sumner barely escaped death; his head and shoulders were slashed to the bone. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 Accessible rooms are available, putting this hotel head and shoulders above comparable historic properties. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for head and shoulders
Recent Examples of Synonyms for head and shoulders
  1. definitely
  2. far and away
  3. undoubtedly
Adverb
  • So offseason, one, and then spring training, definitely different.
    — Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • But the late-night revelry definitely penetrated the walls of her hotel.
    — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • For the first 10 months of fiscal 2026, Washington’s carrying costs grew an astounding 14%, from $846 to $963 billion versus the same period in FY 2025, far and away the biggest jump of any expense line item.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The United States is far and away the current leader of reusable launch, and virtually all new commercial rockets under development incorporate some aspect of reuse.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of far and away
Adverb
  • Yes, the club has existed since 1881 and so has undoubtedly had more than two changes of style before.
    — Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • It's undoubtedly been an issue that has effected the black community more than any other in America.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of undoubtedly

Browse Nearby Words

headaches
head and shoulders
head case
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Head and shoulders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/head%20and%20shoulders. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

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

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All