as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
terrified forest creatures in a headlong retreat from the rapidly spreading fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hastily
with excessive or careless speed
plunged headlong into the crowd in pursuit of the purse snatcher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immediately
without delay
had barely finished the last project when we went headlong into the next one
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 headlong
Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
The nuclear dilemma makes Tehran’s position all the more fraught, by likely forcing it into a headlong confrontation with the Trump White House.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Most of the egg-laying chickens — nearly 22 million — died in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, creating a supply shock that ran headlong into peak seasonal demand around the winter holidays, when more households buy eggs for baking recipes, for example, Smith said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Adjective
The Trump administration may sell several federal properties in Fort Worth and Dallas as a part of its headlong attempt to slash federal spending.
—Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
The nuclear dilemma makes Tehran’s position all the more fraught, by likely forcing it into a headlong confrontation with the Trump White House.
—Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The team delve headlong into the uncanny to bring the fascinating world of the podcast to the screen.
—Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025
Most of the egg-laying chickens — nearly 22 million — died in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, creating a supply shock that ran headlong into peak seasonal demand around the winter holidays, when more households buy eggs for baking recipes, for example, Smith said.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
-
This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
-
In Alentejo, food is meant to be shared, and time at the table is never hurried, and this is a central element of the experience at São Lourenço do Barrocal.—
Monica Mendal,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
In an interview with the Financial Times published Monday, Langone decried Trump’s tariffs as too large, imposed too hastily, and based on an incoherent mathematical formula.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
-
The fresh graves of their dead wives and children are lined neatly in a row, the result of a strike hastily agreed to over text message thousands of miles away.—
Rozina Ali,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.—
Savannah Kuchar,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Diego was immediately flown back to the Galápagos to join a last-ditch breeding program in 1977.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Several lawsuits claimed the drugstore chain failed to protect its customers and did not notify them of the incident promptly.—
Ryley Amond,
CNBC,
18 Apr. 2025
-
If the government doesn't reimburse them promptly, the inspectors worry about having to pay the steep bills themselves.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Research shows that suicide tends to be a fairly impulsive act during short-term crises.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Research shows that those who score higher in emotional intelligence are less impulsive and better able to persist through difficult tasks.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Panthenol soothes the skin and strengthens the moisture barrier, and the lightly bubbling texture is instantly calming.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Uber was appealing because using an app to instantly summon a car is much easier than chasing down a cab.—
Lila Shroff,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An arrest warrant was obtained for Lacy for negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Torres is charged with arson and reckless endangerment, according to the FDNY.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
18 Apr. 2025
Adverb
-
Louisiana's nine detention centers, eight of which are privately operated, include the only ICE facility in the country directly connected to an airport, thus streamlining mass deportations across the state.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Lindsey Reese,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.—
Emily Olsen,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share