hell-bent

adjective

Definition of hell-bentnext
as in intent

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 hell-bent Like in Dickinson’s poem, anger often feels like the only way to assert oneself in a society that seems hell-bent on silencing women and girls. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 27 July 2026 Indeed, these pages have numerous examples of hard-charging entrepreneurs hell-bent on pushing boundaries. — Naazneen Karmali, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Years later, he's exonerated and released from prison, hell-bent on getting revenge on his former lawyer Anna Bowden and her prosecutor husband Tom, played by Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson. — Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026 Talarico can't rebrand his progressive politics with barbecue Democrats are hell-bent on flawed Platner. — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hell-bent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hell-bent
  1. intent
  2. dedicated
  3. resolute
  4. determined
  5. insistent
  6. sure
  7. adamant
  8. single-minded
Adjective
  • This convergence is most visible where customer segmentation and sales enablement align, outreach adapts as intent emerges, and sellers work alongside AI agents that maintain account context.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Kubrick honed his signature style and attention to detail here in a film that’s constantly twisting and turning, intent on knocking its audience off their feet.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • The film doesn’t canonize Heumann, instead showing her as dedicated leader who is also prickly, brash, and set in her ways.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The retail concept also includes a dedicated Fragrance Gallery, where Outside In’s inaugural trio of eaux de parfum — called Earth After Rain, Light Language and Undiscovered Rose, priced at $260 each — will be displayed and available for purchase.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dedicated
Adjective
  • Morgan’s resolute denials pleased his family and friends, but in fact he was deeply rattled.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Yet Cao’s projects are less expository than Farocki’s, less resolute in their theses.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • Perhaps as a response to those comments, Styles’ camp seems determined to emphasizing transparency about pricing, and to point out how economical tickets may be compared to other arena or stadium tours.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • But many are also determined to embrace the coming days of celebration and reflection.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Bangladeshi cinema has been equally insistent on subverting patriarchal stereotypes.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • But flatter work, especially photography and illusionistic painting, struggles to hold its position against the building’s insistent materiality.
    — Katy Barkan, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of insistent
Adjective
  • Authorities were not immediately sure what caused the crash, and Cordero-Stutz declined to answer additional questions from reporters.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Not sure what happened there, but SeanJo definitely showed up for work.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of sure
Adjective
  • Her mom handmade her dress Parton was adamant about having her mom, Avie Lee Parton, present for her nuptials.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
  • But Coppola was adamant, and Eastman used her leverage to help secure Pacino’s place.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of adamant
Adjective
  • But in comparison with that movie’s central character, Arash grows less single-minded as his daylong journey progresses.
    — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
  • What, then, was the force behind this single-minded drive for accuracy?
    — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of single-minded

Browse Nearby Words

hellacious
hell-bent
hell-bent (on or upon)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hell-bent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hell-bent. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All