hellfire

noun

hell·​fire ˈhel-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce hellfire (audio)
Synonyms of hellfirenext
: the eternal fire of hell that tortures sinners
hellfire adjective

Examples of hellfire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These two accountability requirements made sure that everyone in the system would be in a hellfire hurry to teach children to read. — Rachel Canter, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026 Across all those years, though, the game itself has barely changed, becoming something of a familiar, comfortable blanket of hellfire for longtime players. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 19 Feb. 2026 Floridians seem intent, however, on creating their own personal version of hellfire. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026 Should designers, who work in an industry that is one of the biggest culprits for greenhouse gas emissions, at least be making clothes that people could reasonably aspire to wear in the hellfire summers to come? — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellfire

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hellfire was before the 12th century

Rhymes for hellfire

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Browse Nearby Words

Hellespontine
hellfire
hell-fired
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hellfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellfire. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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