the hell
noun
informal + impolite
1
—used to make a statement or question more forceful
Let's get the hell out of here.
(chiefly US) They moved way the hell up north.
What the hell is going on?
2
—used to say in an angry and forceful way that one will not do something, does not agree, etc.
"It's your fault!" "The hell it is!"
Examples of the hell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But perhaps most importantly, the plates ended up being a great way to fast-track the cleanup minus the hell of a putrid sink and a stack of filthy dishes in the blinding morning light.
—
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026
How the hell did the Clash know about Harrisburg?
—Spin Team, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Klaus is looking at him here like, What the hell is going on?
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
The outcomes will still cause dispute, but at least everyone in the ground — including the referee — will know what the hell is going on.
—Graham Scott, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the hell
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.
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 24 Apr. 2026
How the hell did the Clash know about Harrisburg?
—Spin Team, SPIN, 20 Apr. 2026
Klaus is looking at him here like, What the hell is going on?
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
The outcomes will still cause dispute, but at least everyone in the ground — including the referee — will know what the hell is going on.
—Graham Scott, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the hell
Cite this Entry
“The hell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20hell. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
