breakneck

adjective

break·​neck ˈbrāk-ˈnek How to pronounce breakneck (audio)
: very fast or dangerous
breakneck speed

Examples of breakneck in a Sentence

the breakneck production of naval vessels during World War II
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The economy added a staggering 517,000 jobs in January, more than double the employment growth a month prior and well above the breakneck pace of some 400,000 monthly jobs added on average last year, according to government data released on Friday. Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Feb. 2023 At five half-hour episodes, Cunk on Earth is a consistently droll, frequently delightful series that mixes high and low comedy at a breakneck pace. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2023 Transferring in from Tennessee, the program currently defining the tempo genre, Jackson is well-acquainted with playing football at a breakneck pace. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Jan. 2023 Some may be duplicates, but regardless, twisters have been swarming the South at breakneck pace. Matthew Cappucci, Ben Brasch and Scott Dance, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for breakneck 

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakneck was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near breakneck

Cite this Entry

“Breakneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakneck. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

breakneck

adjective
break·​neck ˌbrāk-ˌnek How to pronounce breakneck (audio)
: very fast or dangerous
breakneck speed
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