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

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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 Hochul hit back by suggesting the Knicks are head and shoulders ahead of the Spurs after a reeling off an amazing 11-game playoff winning streak and two straight series sweeps. — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 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 Panama is now best known for producing Major League Baseball stars, with legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera standing head and shoulders above the long list of Panamanians who have graced an American ballpark. — Elias Burke, New York Times, 10 June 2026 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 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
  • Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • It’s also led by arguably (but definitely, in my opinion) the best player to ever play the sport, Lionel Messi.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • The Model 3 and the Model Y (at one point the world’s best-selling vehicle) far and away lead the charge, with around 97 percent of sales consisting of one of the two models, per Yahoo Finance.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 July 2026
  • Joint, a 20-year-old from Australia, won a blockbuster match under the Centre Court lights in what was far and away the biggest occasion of her career.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of far and away
Adverb
  • The governing body will undoubtedly see this as a massive win for its new Trionda ball which has received some criticism for moving unnaturally fast.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • Reports citing human capabilities undoubtedly presuppose typical human brain proficiency based on effort.
    — Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 2 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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