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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of headlong
Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
In his headlong rush to success, an oddball comedian abandons his most loyal allies.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 7 May 2025
Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
At the same time, loosening rules on oil permits may run headlong into California’s lofty decarbonization goals.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Adjective
This momentary pause, this saving interruption of the headlong, breathless trajectory of rape or murder, admitted a kind of compassion, pity, even tenderness, halting injustice in its tracks.
—Sarah Beckwith, New Yorker, 26 May 2025
In his headlong rush to success, an oddball comedian abandons his most loyal allies.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 7 May 2025
Adverb
President Donald Trump’s relentless use of tariffs to coerce foreign counterparts into favorable deals is about to run headlong into the limits of geopolitical reality.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
At the same time, loosening rules on oil permits may run headlong into California’s lofty decarbonization goals.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
-
Some sequences feel hurried, some satirical dialogue is a little too on the nose and a special effect around the climax lacks the polish of the production design elsewhere.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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Additionally, hurried or reactive infrastructure development may expose the investor to significant foreign asset reporting and tax burdens (NCTI, for example) that could have been mitigated if a multi-disciplinary framework had been considered.—
Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The shirts that are hawked outside the Coliseum today are much more hastily made.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
4 Sep. 2025
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Instead of being judged for the killing of an Arab man, Meursault is ultimately blamed for showing little emotion at the recent funerals for his late mother and hastily starting a relationship with Marie Cardona (Rebecca Marder).—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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This employee was immediately put on administrative leave, and an investigation has begun.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Yet these productions are increasingly designed around an ethos of visual-over-depth that compels us to immediately document and post each scene.—
David Hochman,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The storm reshaped the coastline, forcing a rushed build and rebuild of the course.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
In her post, the 27-year-old shares how a rushed layover and a tight schedule turned a simple flight connection into an emotional ordeal.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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Book influencers and everyday readers lined up hurriedly to take photos with Aster and get their manuscripts signed.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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As the car that brought them to the shelter proceeds to drive away, Taylor and Travis can be seen hurriedly attempting to follow the vehicle.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Erik's lifelong friend Anna Dergan was the first to become suspicious that Erik was being taken advantage of – and then promptly kicked off an investigation of her own.—
ForbesTV,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Borregales has missed four kicks, while Romo promptly nailed six kicks Sunday, including 5-for-5 on field goal attempts for the Atlanta Falcons.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bold steps need calculated moves, not impulsive reactions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Ari is a rich kid from New York, who is an impulsive motormouth desperate for Sam’s affection.—
Esther Zuckerman,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Their emotional swings may trigger your own stress, but reacting impulsively can worsen the situation.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The boys were also less likely to act impulsively, while growing more sensitive to the difference between reward and punishment.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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