headwinds
Winds against you
Headwinds are winds blowing against the direction of travel, slowing forward progress.
Aircraft and cyclists face headwinds that increase effort and fuel consumption.
The figurative sense dominates business and economic discourse: The company faces headwinds from rising interest rates.
Any obstacle or resistance to progress becomes a headwind.
The opposite is a tailwind.
Things in the way
- challengesDifficulties requiring effort
- setbacksReversals of progress
- difficultiesProblems to overcome
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
barriers · hurdles · impediments · struggles · opposition · hindrances · roadblocks · friction
Economic decline period
- slowdownReduction in pace
- profit marginsPercentage kept from sales
- macroeconomicPertaining to whole economies
- fiscalOf public revenue
monetary policy · inflation · recession · market volatility · trade barriers · tariffs · supply chain
Aircraft's atmospheric velocity
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- flightpathAircraft's designated travel corridor
- takeoffDeparture or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
pilot · cockpit · aircraft · aerodynamics · throttle · drag · lift · altitude
Air currents from behind
- jetstreamHigh-altitude wind band
- gustBrief wind surge
- airflowMovement of atmosphere
- updraftUpward air movement
downdraft · air current · breeze · squall · windspeed · atmospheric pressure · weather patterns · frontal system
obstacles
Things in the way
- challengesDifficulties requiring effort
- setbacksReversals of progress
- difficultiesProblems to overcome
resistance · barriers · hurdles · impediments · struggles · opposition · hindrances · roadblocks · friction · slowdown
downturn
Economic decline period
- slowdownReduction in pace
- profit marginsPercentage kept from sales
- macroeconomicPertaining to whole economies
fiscal · monetary policy · inflation · recession · market volatility · trade barriers · tariffs · supply chain
airspeed
Aircraft's atmospheric velocity
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- flightpathAircraft's designated travel corridor
- takeoffDeparture or parody
landing · pilot · cockpit · aircraft · aerodynamics · throttle · drag · lift · altitude · cruising
tailwinds
Air currents from behind
updraft · downdraft · air current · breeze · squall · windspeed · atmospheric pressure · weather patterns · frontal system · barometric
- windbreeze, gale, gust, gusts, crosswinds
- corporate jargonsynergy, stakeholders, deep dive, circle back, leverage
- Aviation Weathervisibility, ceiling, cloud ceiling, ceiling height, turbulence
- turbulencesevere turbulence, chop, bumps, eddies, vortices
- aviationaircraft, airports, flying, flight, airplane
headwindstailwinds
Air currents from behind
favorable conditions · fair winds · advantages · opportunities · catalysts