hell-bent

adjective

ˈhel-ˌbent 

: stubbornly and often recklessly determined or intent

hell-bent on winning

hell-bent adverb

Synonyms of hell-bent

• determined
• intent
• resolute
• bent (on or upon)
• decisive
• positive

Examples of hell-bent in a Sentence

she's hell-bent on a career in show business and heaven help anyone who gets in her way

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s why the original voices of legacy filmmakers are worth protecting, even when some of that group’s AI advocates seem hell-bent on acting against the industry’s long-term best interests. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 May 2026

Armisen and Bill Hader play chatty and heavily accented doormen hell-bent on telling bizarre holiday stories to various tenants. —Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026

Everyone seems hell-bent on not returning the same old, same old, but shouldn’t consideration be given to see how the draft plays out? —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026

Having to fight and co-exist with those hell-bent on spewing lies and attention-grabbing hyperbole only clouds up the room, ruins the mood and takes away minutes from those who have been tackling real problems that truly need their government’s help. —Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hell-bent

adjective

-ˌbent

: stubbornly and often recklessly determined

hell-bent on revenge