1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the hellacious heat was more than we could bear
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2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the pioneers survived a particularly hellacious river crossing with their covered wagon barely in one piece
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Recent Examples of hellacious
Even in the hellacious conditions of Greater Los Angeles, the suspension absorbs severe potholes, broken surfaces and expansion joints with little more than the sound of a muffled timpani strike.
—
Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The other nailed two runners on the bases with some of the most hellacious throws anyone had ever seen.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Just when the series appeared to begin tilting toward Indiana deep into Game 4, with a 3-1 Pacers lead a real possibility, Lu Dort's hellacious defense helped force Indiana into tough shots and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring rescued Oklahoma City.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 18 June 2025
Lineups featuring the trio of Dunn-Jones-Leonard are going to be hellacious.
—Shane Young, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hellacious
Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
The other nailed two runners on the bases with some of the most hellacious throws anyone had ever seen.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Just when the series appeared to begin tilting toward Indiana deep into Game 4, with a 3-1 Pacers lead a real possibility, Lu Dort's hellacious defense helped force Indiana into tough shots and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring rescued Oklahoma City.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 18 June 2025
Lineups featuring the trio of Dunn-Jones-Leonard are going to be hellacious.
—Shane Young, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for hellacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellacious
Adjective
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The employee, a mother of two teen girls, warned about the filters and said the pressure on teen girls is intense.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But having dodged the traps of the social media news era, The Economist now faces looming long-term structural challenges that may be more difficult to avoid.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
23 Feb. 2026
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Frontflips are generally more difficult than backflips for both humans and robots.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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These calculations are computationally intensive and only recently became feasible.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Feb. 2026
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Modernizing manufacturing and automating industry will be energy-intensive.—
Stuart Loren,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Dorm’s New ‘Frenemy’ Their quest will be all the more challenging when a new friend (or foe) appears in the dorm.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
18 Feb. 2026
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Schedule time with a challenging book, as fresh ideas can soothe moods and moderate your protective instincts.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Born in 1941 to an unwed teenage mother in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson turned heads early with his fierce drive and athletic ability.—
Mark Whitaker,
CBS News,
22 Feb. 2026
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Göransson saw off fierce competition, including Alexandre Desplat, a 13-time nominee and three-time winner of the category; the latter was nominated for his score for Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Takaichi has proposed tougher policies on immigration and foreigners, something that resonates with a growing frustration in Japan.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Bryant was tough to stop and scored nine of her 23 points in the first quarter.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This time, the soloist was the stellar emerging pianist Yunchan Lim, who keeps to himself, either lost in dreamy reverie or, like a jumpy teenager, in ferocious attack mode.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Fullerton's ferocious winds toppled trees onto homes, cars and trucks, jolting neighbors awake early Wednesday morning.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Steele learned early how to manage time with precision, often creating music during the narrow windows left between rigorous academic commitments.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Regarding the involvement of former CEOs in institutional decision-making, Molinaroli notes that their practical insights could be tapped more frequently through diverse councils, clear mandates, and rigorous conflict-of-interest safeguards to prevent undue influence.—
Nia Bowers,
Ascend Agency,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hellacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellacious. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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