noun

headwinds

/ˈhedwɪndz/ · say it: HED·windz

difficulties that slow progress

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (noun) winds blowing directly toward you, making it harder to move forward

2. (noun) obstacles or difficulties that make progress harder

Examples

1. The plane faced strong headwinds during the flight, so it arrived late.
2. The company is facing headwinds in the market due to increased competition.

How to use headwinds

Headwinds can refer literally to meteorological winds opposing movement, but is more commonly used metaphorically in business, economics, and general contexts to describe any external factors creating resistance to progress. It is neutral and analytical in tone, often used when discussing challenges that are external to an organization or individual rather than self-imposed failures.

Common phrases

face headwinds
strong headwinds
significant headwinds
economic headwinds
headwinds to growth

Synonyms

obstacles · difficulties · resistance · setbacks · adverse conditions

Opposites

tailwinds · advantages · assistance

Word family

headwind (singular)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes treat headwinds as always negative without recognizing that in business discourse it is a standard, neutral term for market or environmental obstacles rather than an inherently pessimistic framing.

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