Entry Word: hell

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 the place of punishment for the wicked after death <condemned to hell for their sins>

Synonyms perdition

Related Words inferno; purgatory; hades, netherworld, underworld

Near Antonyms empyrean; glory

Antonyms Elysium, heaven, kingdom come, paradise

2 a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness <picking cotton under the hot summer sun was hell>

Synonyms agony, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment, torture

Related Words cross, ordeal, trial, tribulation; gall, thorn; bummer, downer, drag

Near Antonyms delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, pleasure, recreation; lark, picnic, riot

Antonyms heaven, paradise

3 a place of uproar or confusion <the burning city was a fiery hell> — see madhouse 2
4 a state in which everything is out of order <all hell broke loose when the juryʼs verdict was announced> — see chaos