hell-for-leather 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hell-for-leathernext
as in reckless
having or showing a lack of concern for the consequences of one's actions having been behind for most of the race, the stock car driver made a hell-for-leather dash to the finish

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hell-for-leather

2 of 2

adverb

ˈhel-fər-ˈle-ṯẖər How to pronounce hell-for-leather (audio)
as in quickly
with great speed we ran hell-for-leather out of that spooky house

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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 hell-for-leather
Adverb
The plot thickens further when Bundle, driving hell-for-leather down a country lane, comes across someone lying in the middle of the road. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hell-for-leather
  1. reckless
  2. quickly
  3. daring
  4. fast
  5. daredevil
  6. rapidly
  7. quick
  8. swiftly
Adjective
  • The defending champions managed to hold Spain to a draw in the regulation 90 minutes, which ended with combative midfielder Enzo Fernandez being sent off after a reckless challenge in injury time.
    — Mark Hodge, NBC news, 20 July 2026
  • That context is what separates responsible flexibility from reckless convenience.
    — Anand Solanki, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • Two teams — McLaren and Aston Martin — are expected to bring big upgrade packages to the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, and this race is anticipated to be less about energy deployment and more about driving quickly without making a mistake.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With a void in leadership and production, the Horned Frogs will need someone to step up quickly.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Definition of quickly
Adjective
  • Blumenthal presents himself as a courageous truth teller whose work is too daring for the corporate media.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • Ackman’s misfires, though, have been offset by some prescient investments in the face of black swan events like the subprime mortgage crisis and COVID, cementing his reputation as one of the shrewdest and most daring risk-takers on Wall Street.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 20 July 2026
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • Anything below 20,000 double rubs may wear down faster and is better suited to a bouclé loveseat, accent chair or other low-traffic piece of bouclé furniture.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • That adoption, which had previously been unreported, seems consistent for a team that leans on data, employs a Gen Z roster and trusts a coaching staff stocked with millennials who care how fast their pitchers throw ball four.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • In addition to decades of performing his own impossible feats for the sake and sanctity of cinema, Cruise has lately taken to showing off his daredevil talents at sporting events worldwide.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
  • The daredevil couple, who scaled the building dressed in dark outfits and masks, were each charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and an additional charge related to the incident.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 4 July 2026
Definition of daredevil
Adverb
  • Beijing in recent years has rapidly expanded mandates for schools in ethnic minority regions to adopt primarily Chinese-language education, starting from kindergarten.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Accidents are common on climbing expeditions in northern Pakistan because of avalanches, falling ice and rock, high altitude and rapidly changing weather.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • Ponder has drawn positive comments, and Swinson has dropped 15 pounds to try to get quicker on the edge, both good signs.
    — Chad Graff, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • Netflix, of all places, is starting to do a better job of producing new seasons quicker.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of quick
Adverb
  • Payment card data could swiftly identify common merchants, a crucial first step where traditional epidemiology struggles.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • Other top watchmakers swiftly followed suit, with blue dials becoming a staple across collections.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 July 2026
Definition of swiftly

Browse Nearby Words

hellfires
hell-for-leather
hellhole
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Cite this Entry

“Hell-for-leather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hell-for-leather. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hell-for-leather

Nglish: Translation of hell-for-leather for Spanish Speakers

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