hell-for-leather 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hell-for-leathernext
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions having been behind for most of the race, the stock car driver made a hell-for-leather dash to the finish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hell-for-leather

2 of 2

adverb

ˈhel-fər-ˈle-ṯẖər How to pronounce hell-for-leather (audio)
as in quickly
with great speed we ran hell-for-leather out of that spooky house

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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 hell-for-leather
Adverb
There’s no better action movie on Earth than George Miller’s hell-for-leather quest for water and redemption. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 The plot thickens further when Bundle, driving hell-for-leather down a country lane, comes across someone lying in the middle of the road. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hell-for-leather
  1. reckless
  2. quickly
  3. daring
  4. fast
  5. daredevil
  6. rapidly
  7. quick
  8. swiftly
Adjective
  • In NyKayla’s case, prosecutors could only reach a meaningful sentence by charging the gun’s owner with reckless endangerment after a child was already dead.
    — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Groups of kids, some as young as elementary school age, tear through our streets at reckless speeds with no regard for pedestrians.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • Some come so quickly that there’s barely time to process how they were accomplished.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Besides faulty lactose digestion, nonwhite bodies were accused of other failures, too, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, an inability to digest alcohol quickly.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adjective
  • Posing in a mirror selfie on the set of her Hulu show Only Murders in the Building, the actress wore a dramatic, daring red gown.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Zendaya in particular has proved exceptionally good at getting young viewers to show up for more daring movies, such as this spring’s The Drama; comparatively, something as broadly crowd-pleasing as Brand New Day is a layup.
    — David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • The program is built around a vision of cinema and technology developing side by side, with a scope that runs from brand-film partnerships to the fast-growing microdrama business.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parents these days have a lot on their plate, not least an increasingly digitized, discerning set of kids fast approaching term time.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • News earlier in the month, Johnson and East chatted about life at home with their three little ones, and shared which kid is taking on a daredevil personality.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • In addition to decades of performing his own impossible feats for the sake and sanctity of cinema, Cruise has lately taken to showing off his daredevil talents at sporting events worldwide.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adverb
  • The blaze had grown rapidly through the day, driven by gusty winds, low humidity and dry brush.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The episode illustrated the advantages and dangers of the rapidly developing technology—and what business leaders can learn from using AI to help manage a business crisis.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • The beginning of the fire was widely mistaken as a special effect put on by the pop group performing at the time, and the flames spread quicker than clubbers could realize what was happening.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Copley agrees with this sentiment, noting that the scent of essential oils fades quicker if a room is too cold, drafty, or large.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick
Adverb
  • The additional personnel — and coordination with Fever, league and arena security and the Chicago Police Department — made Alter feel confident the team could intervene swiftly if Kanter Freedom crossed a line.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • He was acquitted in 2020, but was swiftly rearrested on charges linking him to Turkey’s 2016 coup attempt.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of swiftly

Browse Nearby Words

hellfires
hell-for-leather
hellhole
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Cite this Entry

“Hell-for-leather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hell-for-leather. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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