Parts facing the oncoming flow are said to be windward, and parts facing away from the flow are said to be leeward.
Source: tatoeba (5325796)
Windward
/ˈwɪndwə(ɹ)d/
Synonyms for "windward" (60 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (12)
Strong matches (18)
Related words (30)
sidewardsidewardssidewaysidewayssidewiseskirtingto leewardto windwardupwindweatherweather deckweather helmweather sheetweather sideweather tackweather wheelweatherboardweatherwardwiddershinswindward ebb
Show 1 more word
windward flood
Noun(8 words)
toward the windtoward windwardupwindupwind directionupwind sidewind-facing directionwindward facewindward flank
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: advantageous, alee, anticlockwise, aweather, beneficial.
- Sentence evidence is available for windward, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "windward".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "windward"
Keep "windward" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "windward" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "windward", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "windward" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
12 entriesMore specific
11 entriesnorth windwardsouth windwardwindward advantagewindward coastwindward deckwindward hullwindward positionwindward shorewindward sidewindward slopewindward wall
Collocations
10 entrieswindward coastwindward deckwindward directionwindward exposurewindward facadewindward hullwindward of the ridgewindward positionwindward sidewindward slope
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriesAntonyms
3 entriessimilar
2 entriesSample sentences
9 total sentences available.
There were icicles on the fences, a rime of silver on the windward bark of maples, and occasional bare spots on the rocky protuberances of the road, as if Nature had worn herself out at the knees and elbows through long waiting for the tardy spring.
Source: tatoeba (11775452)
We learned to approach the campfire from the windward side to avoid the smoke.
Source: tatoeba (13557593)
We pitched our tents on the windward side of the island to catch the cool ocean breeze.
Source: tatoeba (13557618)
Showing 4 of 9 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "windward"?
Closest matches include advantageous, alee, anticlockwise, aweather, beneficial.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "windward"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.