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
Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025
While no supporter — surely — would swap any of that frenetic, headlong decade for Tottenham’s inert version of stability, glory becomes addictive.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Colin Fleming, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
Her efforts ran headlong into what would become the worst drug shortage in modern history.
—Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Adjective
My yell must have startled him for a second or two, and my headlong rush kept him off balance just long enough.
—Howard Copenhaver, Outdoor Life, 23 Apr. 2025
While no supporter — surely — would swap any of that frenetic, headlong decade for Tottenham’s inert version of stability, glory becomes addictive.
—George Caulkin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adverb
The Tramp is a thinker and an observer and not one to rush headlong.
—Colin Fleming, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2025
Her efforts ran headlong into what would become the worst drug shortage in modern history.
—Debbie Cenziper, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
-
Scenes of hurried passengers chugging water or tossing full bottles into trash bins have become routine — and agents are required to confiscate anything that doesn’t comply, often to the frustration of everyday travelers.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
17 July 2025
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While authors have long relied on brief bookstore appearances and hurried festival signings to connect with their audience, reading retreats offer extended, intimate access to their most devoted fans in settings designed for thoughtful literary discussion.—
JD Barker,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
Adverb
-
First, it was hastily contrived and had weak monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
-
One suitcase between the three of us, hastily filled in the dark.—
Molly Baz,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Restaurants with more than 30 demerits are required to fix the worst problems immediately and remedy the rest within 48 hours.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Once those deals are completed, the details should be made public immediately.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
On the second play, Stidham rolled out and found Engram on a drag — and the free-agent tight end promptly went galloping down the right sideline for 58 yards.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Last Tuesday, reliever Brock Stewart, their lone bullpen acquisition at the trade deadline, recorded a hold with one scoreless inning against the Blue Jays and promptly went on the IL with shoulder inflammation.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
That impulsive rescue set off a chain reaction that would change everything.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
-
For example: • Excitement can spark innovation or lead to impulsive decisions.—
Marc Brackett,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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That path is instantly decimated as a more and more drunken Adriana spends the day going scorched earth on Marysol, both behind her back and to her face.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Aug. 2025
-
This unique thin belt uses a locking system, which replaces the traditional hook closure that tends to stretch out over time — just slide the accessory to tighten the fit, then secure the metal lock to instantly cinch a blazer or prevent your pants from falling.—
Rylee Johnston,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
With real pressure from Washington, Addis Ababa and the Tigrayan administration should be able to marginalize the reckless factions that are seeking to exploit the situation—and finally bring to heel the Middle Eastern powers that have for too long enjoyed free rein to meddle in the Horn of Africa.—
Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe,
Foreign Affairs,
5 Aug. 2025
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The main emphasis behind reintroducing car crushing, Easter said, is to deter future reckless drivers or, at least, make sure a particular car stays off the road.—
Caleb Lunetta,
Mercury News,
4 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Putin appeared to warn European leaders and Zelensky to stay out of the way of what was a work-in-progress, even though the fate of Ukraine impacts them directly.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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