HEADLONG Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'headlong' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of headlong are abrupt , impetuous , precipitate , and sudden . While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought. // a headlong flight from arrest

Q: When is 'abrupt' a more appropriate choice than 'headlong'?

The synonyms abrupt and headlong are sometimes interchangeable, but abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony. // an abrupt refusal

Q: In what contexts can 'impetuous' take the place of 'headlong'?

While the synonyms impetuous and headlong are close in meaning, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness. // an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Q: Where would 'precipitate' be a reasonable alternative to 'headlong'?

In some situations, the words precipitate and headlong are roughly equivalent. However, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action. // the army's precipitate withdrawal

Q: When would 'sudden' be a good substitute for 'headlong'?

The words sudden and headlong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action. // flew into a sudden rage

headlong 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhed-ˌlȯŋ

Definition of headlong next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

headlong

2 of 2

adverb

ˈhed-ˈlȯŋ

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

as in immediately

without delay had barely finished the last project when we went headlong into the next one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective headlong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of headlong are abrupt, impetuous, precipitate, and sudden. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When is abrupt a more appropriate choice than headlong?

The synonyms abrupt and headlong are sometimes interchangeable, but abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

In what contexts can impetuous take the place of headlong?

While the synonyms impetuous and headlong are close in meaning, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Where would precipitate be a reasonable alternative to headlong?

In some situations, the words precipitate and headlong are roughly equivalent. However, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

When would sudden be a good substitute for headlong?

The words sudden and headlong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

Examples 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 headlong

Adjective

The show’s vibrant aesthetic and period pop score, meanwhile, provide a nostalgia trip to the early 2000s — while not shying away from what the era’s headlong embrace of social media did to our grasp on collective truth. —

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024 From there things just keep happening, as one event unfolds into another in a headlong rush amid the incessant clatter of plates and pans and the machine spitting out endless order tickets. —

Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Adverb

Thanksgiving, Christmas holidays raise egg demand The egg supply shortage is also running headlong into peak season for consumer demand. —

Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2024 Unfortunately, this civic moment collided headlong with NASCAR’s Championship 4 Media Day in Charlotte, North Carolina. —

Greg Engle, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for headlong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong

Adjective

Just handshakes, quiet embraces and a hurried effort by the military to get everybody home in time for Christmas.

David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Mings’ handball turned out to be decisive and Emery, speaking in a hurried post-match press conference, partially blamed his team’s loss on the incident.

Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024