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
George Caulkin, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Sadly, New York Magazine displayed no such judgment in its reckless headlong pursuit of publishing a salacious, attention-grabbing article, no matter the truth.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
John McPhee, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Adjective
The first two years post-takeover featured a headlong dash away from irrelevance and into the Champions League, powered by fierce momentum, unity and heavy spending, but 2024 comes to an end with the notion of progress far less easy to define.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Sadly, New York Magazine displayed no such judgment in its reckless headlong pursuit of publishing a salacious, attention-grabbing article, no matter the truth.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
Adverb
As birders are much aware—others, too—birds fly headlong into such windows, fall, flutter in great pain, and die.
—John McPhee, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025
For decades the insistence on the truth value of rap lyrics was of paramount importance; now, that has run headlong into the literalism of law enforcement interpretation.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
-
Stride can be a little hurried/sway a fair amount in straight lines but great on cuts/edges.—
Scott Wheeler,
The Athletic,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Overhead, a pair of firefighting helicopters circled in constant, hurried laps between the lake and the burning hillsides.—
Wally Skalij,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adverb
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On Monday, European leaders hastily assembled in Paris to discuss plans for peace in Ukraine after they were left out of U.S.-led talks, due to begin Tuesday, between Washington and Moscow on the near three-years Russia-Ukraine war.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Some employees reported receiving dismissal letters that seemed hastily written.—
Stacy Cowley,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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Neither official, however, is leaving politics immediately.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
-
However, they were immediately met with push back from the business and financial sectors that claimed the standards were overly complicated.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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They were promptly disqualified, as Ben Golliver of The Washington Post reports.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Casino magnate Steve Wynn promptly trumped the president and gave $1 million to the club as did two other billionaires.—
Richard Johnson,
New York Daily News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The United States under the chaotic, impulsive leadership of President Donald Trump is abandoning its longstanding alliances with fellow democracies in favor of, at best, strategic ambivalence.—
David Axe,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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These are not the actions of a responsible superpower, but rather the impulsive demands of a declining hegemon that has lost its way.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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The itch-relief plasters instantly soothe insect bites in both adults and children.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Just a pea-sized amount sinks in instantly, leaving your skin ridiculously soft and perfectly primed for makeup.—
Siena Gagliano,
Allure,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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As with much of U.S. politics right now, Texas v Becerra feels like a reckless attempt to pull us back to a former time.—
Rebekah Taussig,
TIME,
19 Feb. 2025
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After reviewing the police investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, against Lopez, Barrington police said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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This generous gift has been placed in a restricted fund dedicated to purchasing food for the ministry, ensuring that every dollar goes directly toward feeding those in need, according to a news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2025
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What’s interesting about the expectation and subsequent demand that Brave New World to directly confront the evils of an administration the filmmakers didn’t know was coming is that those same criticisms weren’t leveled at any of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) Captain America movies.—
Richard Newby,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to headlong
Cite this Entry
“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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