hell-bent

adjective

ˈhel-ˌbent 

: stubbornly and often recklessly determined or intent

hell-bent on winning

hell-bent adverb

Synonyms

• bent (on or upon)
• bound
• decisive
• determined
• do-or-die
• firm
• intent
• out
• purposeful
• resolute
• resolved
• set
• single-minded

Examples of hell-bent in a Sentence

she's hell-bent on a career in show business and heaven help anyone who gets in her way

Recent Examples on the Web

Lucia is just out of jail in Leonida, a fictional stand-in for Florida, and is hell-bent on enjoying her newfound freedom. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025

Since last season ended with a thud in the Peach Bowl, Marques Hagans was hell-bent on ensuring his receivers wouldn’t be the team’s weak link again. —Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

Russia is cast as the anti-environmental destroyer, hell-bent on rapacious domination both of Ukraine and of the natural world. —David Vetter, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Shots clanked off the rim like jingle bells and, for some reason, the Wolves seemed hell-bent on challenging Davis in one-on-one situations rather than seek out mismatches against the plethora of putrid defenders that flanked him. —Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hell-bent

adjective

-ˌbent

: stubbornly and often recklessly determined

hell-bent on revenge