hellacious

adjective

ˌhe-ˈlā-shəs How to pronounce hellacious (audio)
Definition of hellaciousnext
1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect the hellacious heat was more than we could bear

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hellacious His hellacious brand of defense is a nightmare for opposing benches in particular. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The skiers were in a valley below Perry Peak, but the two survivors have described battling through hellacious conditions in the hour before the avalanche. — Andrew Graham april 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 But the tour was a hellacious time for Bachman. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026 Even against a hellacious Houston defense, the Patriots’ shortest path to victory is to ask Maye to carry them yet again. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellacious
  1. intense
  2. difficult
  3. intensive
  4. challenging
  5. fierce
  6. tough
  7. ferocious
  8. rigorous
Adjective
  • These could include intense earthquake swarms, rapid ground deformation, changing gas emissions, and unusual heat flow.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Footage aired by local media showed massive flames and fireballs erupting from the tank, with black and orange smoke rising in the sky as firefighters spray what appears to be foam or water in efforts to quench the intense fire.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • The shortcomings of Usman and Dvalishvili, future Hall of Famers, only point to how difficult the historic mark was to reach.
    — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The Teamsters have been enthusiastically endorsing the bill specifically because, while 40-something employers would be difficult to collectively bargain against, DSP workers would be much easier to organize once within Amazon.
    — Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of difficult
Adjective
  • His preference for a 4-2-3-1 has been evident, however, and the German is looking for Newcastle to be aggressive in the press, intensive and also direct, with a plan to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If the electricity required to operate the system comes from carbon-intensive sources, some of the benefits of capturing atmospheric CO₂ are lost.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of intensive
Adjective
  • The champion faced a challenging opponent, as Garry forced him to work hard for seven takedowns and inflicted some facial damage.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The current outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, is unfolding in some of the most challenging conditions imaginable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of challenging
Adjective
  • The scores carry over, promising a fierce battle for the national title, with Rivera aiming for multiple championships.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The diggers than turned to keeping themselves and two injured skiers alive amid the fierce blizzard.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of fierce
Adjective
  • Coventry, for example, face Manchester City away in Gameweek Three, while some of the teams worth targeting early like Manchester United, Chelsea and Sunderland have tougher fixtures in Gameweeks Three or Four.
    — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • This summer has seen a confluence of challenges, including excessive heat that allows food contamination to grow and a pathogen that’s particularly tough to pin down.
    — Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of tough
Adjective
  • Many EVs can deliver incredible stats—ferocious acceleration is their calling card—but not all deliver a holistic driving experience like the best German sedans of the past 40 or 50 years.
    — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • To the world, McRae is a strong, fearless entertainer, a triple threat who can pen songs that recall the fizzy pop of the early aughts and bring them to life as a ferocious singer and dancer.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of ferocious
Adjective
  • Thanks to the shrinking publishing industry and dwindling writerly job market, the internet is rife with smart freelance editors, rigorous copy editors, and award-winning authors moonlighting as book doulas.
    — Keziah Weir, Vanity Fair, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Every personal loan article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal loan products.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rigorous

Browse Nearby Words

hell
hellacious
hell-bent
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Cite this Entry

“Hellacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellacious. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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