hell-bent (on or upon)

adjective

ˈhel-ˌbent How to pronounce hell-bent (on or upon) (audio)
Definition of hell-bent (on or upon)next
as in determined
fully committed to achieving a goal she's hell-bent on a career in show business and heaven help anyone who gets in her way

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hell-bent (on or upon)
  1. determined
  2. intent
  3. resolute
  4. decisive
  5. positive
Adjective
  • The winless Heat looked determined to get its first victory of the season, playing with aggressiveness and force on Wednesday.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Hoping to sell the property while preserving his uncle’s legacy, Joe finds himself at odds with Darren (Swardson), the ambitious owner of a neighbouring go-kart track determined to bulldoze the course and expand his racing empire.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • French authorities are intent on preventing a repeat of recent violent unrest.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Conrad had no way of knowing that Hemingway was intent on avoiding him.
    — Stephen Bates, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of intent
Adjective
  • And after October 7, opposition to the notion has become far more resolute.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Almost instantly, though, the resolute Mahomes was seizing the days to make his way back.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • The decisive Game 7 will be played at Chase Center in San Francisco on Saturday night as each team seeks its first WNBA championship.
    — Charles Odum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • That means party switchers could be a decisive voting block in Tuesday’s statewide races.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of decisive
Adjective
  • Carls pointed out that in the huddle during the timeouts, Campbell stayed upbeat and positive.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In May, Filosa laid out a five-year plan to achieve positive free cash flow by 2027.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of positive
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.

Browse Nearby Words

hell-bent
hell-bent (on or upon)
hellcat
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Cite this Entry

“Hell-bent (on or upon).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hell-bent%20%28on%20or%20upon%29. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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