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breakneck

adjective

ˈbrāk-ˈnek How to pronounce breakneck (audio)
Definition of breaknecknext
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the breakneck production of naval vessels during World War II

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of breakneck 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 The suspenseful ‘Missing’ plows through nearly two hours of shocking plot twists at a breakneck pace. — Mark Olsenstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2023 However, their days of breakneck growth and extraordinary profitability are over, now a part of history along with China’s whole go-go consumer tech era. — Zennon Kapron, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for breakneck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breakneck
  1. rapid
  2. brisk
  3. galloping
  4. fast
  5. quick
Adjective
  • The system must support rapid acceleration while allowing the interceptor to maneuver toward its target.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Both two-stage vehicles are being manufactured with full and rapid reusability in mind, with Pathfinder serving as the proving ground for that architecture.
    — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light.
    — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Travelers willing to brave the brisk ocean winds are rewarded with quieter beaches, fewer visitors, and generally lower lodging rates.
    — Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.
    — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • Designed by renowned architect Dominique Perrault, its four stories tilting forward are said to evoke a galloping horse.
    — Rob Hodgetts at Longchamp, CNN, 15 Oct. 2019
Definition of galloping
Adjective
  • Housing shortages sometimes happen when cities can’t issue residential building permits fast enough to keep vacancy rates low and rent high in a secondary market.
    — Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The population age 80 and older is expected to grow even faster, more than tripling between 2023 and 2060 to about 545 million.
    — Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • Reatil and quick-service restaurants can audit drive-thru bottlenecks, analyze foot traffic and flag point-of-sale (POS) anomalies.
    — Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The war, which Putin launched expecting a quick and complete victory, was not an accident.
    — MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of quick

Browse Nearby Words

break-ins
breakneck
break off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breakneck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breakneck. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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