headwind

/ˈhɛdˌwɪnd/
noun
  1. A wind that blows directly against the direction of travel, making movement slower or more difficult.
    • Walking into a headwind on the beach made the simple stroll feel like a workout.
    • The cyclists struggled against a strong headwind during the final leg of the race.
    • The pilot adjusted the flight path to avoid the worst of the headwind.
  2. A force or factor that makes progress difficult; an obstacle or challenge.
    • Despite the economic headwind, the team managed to launch their product on time.
    • New regulations created a headwind for small businesses trying to expand.
    • The company faced a headwind of rising material costs and falling demand.
Antonyms