as in hurried
acting or done with excessive or careless speed
terrified forest creatures in a headlong retreat from the rapidly spreading fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hastily
with excessive or careless speed
plunged headlong into the crowd in pursuit of the purse snatcher
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immediately
without delay
had barely finished the last project when we went headlong into the next one
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of headlong
Richard Carranza,
Forbes.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Few sectors have been transformed by that headlong rush more than global memory.
—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
The legislative appetite for reform is real, but the policy has run headlong into Washington gridlock.
—
Jonathan Tower,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Adjective
Too often, assessment results plunge educators headlong into a flood of data, but leave them with a drought of actionable next steps.
—
Richard Carranza,
Forbes.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Few sectors have been transformed by that headlong rush more than global memory.
—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Adverb
The lines on his face – deep crags channeled by a life riding headlong into the wind – are the only thing that gives away Ouzts’ age.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
The legislative appetite for reform is real, but the policy has run headlong into Washington gridlock.
—
Jonathan Tower,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
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But for some reason the powers that be have decreed artificial intelligence a civilizational imperative, requiring the hurried construction of swarms of data centers, on Earth and in space.
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Right now, decisions are being made in a hurried, contradictory fashion.
Adverb
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Jelinek hastily asked for a ten-minute break, and the judge granted it.
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There is some sort of tension after Olive hastily kisses Carlsen, who grabs her key-in badge to learn her name.
Adverb
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Affidavits supporting the Johnsons’ arrests were not immediately available Friday evening.
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Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who voted against the proposal in mid-June, voiced fears that the list of noncitizen voters would immediately be seized by federal immigration authorities.
Adjective
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Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.
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As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
Adverb
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The city hurriedly put together a pitch for the Bears, calling the site Halas Harbor until the Bears rejected the Hail Mary play in favor of Hammond.
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As the party raged on LACMA’s campus, hundreds of parade participants hurriedly prepared for their debuts in the corners of nearby streets and parking lots.
Adverb
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If anyone shows signs of heat illness, promptly move them to a cool, shaded area.
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Claus trudged to the monitor, watched the foul on an agonizing loop and promptly handed Balogun a red card.
Adjective
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July 3 could bring shocks or surprises; just beware of being too risky or impulsive.
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Seems impulsive … Carter wants to be a cop?
Adverb
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That brief pause makes the difference between responding wisely and reacting impulsively.
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When Saajan impulsively offers to join her, plans accelerate, leading to some of the most thrilling and heartbreaking moments the piece offers.
Cite this Entry
“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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