1
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect
the hellacious heat was more than we could bear
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in difficult
requiring considerable physical or mental effort
the pioneers survived a particularly hellacious river crossing with their covered wagon barely in one piece
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Recent Examples of hellacious
There were several hellacious spots, but the final blow was a concerto from Priest.
—
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
After a solid start, his defensive flaws and diminished reflexes left him open for a hellacious left hook from Rodriguez.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Scott’s hellacious run in hip-hop can be credited to his 100-plus Billboard Hot 100 entries and two blockbuster releases, 2018’s Astroworld and 2023’s Utopia, which both secured the top spot on the Billboard 200.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
The canine snarl and hellacious production of Whole Lotta Red has dissipated for something sleeker, more vaporous.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellacious
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
After a solid start, his defensive flaws and diminished reflexes left him open for a hellacious left hook from Rodriguez.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
Scott’s hellacious run in hip-hop can be credited to his 100-plus Billboard Hot 100 entries and two blockbuster releases, 2018’s Astroworld and 2023’s Utopia, which both secured the top spot on the Billboard 200.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
The canine snarl and hellacious production of Whole Lotta Red has dissipated for something sleeker, more vaporous.
—Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hellacious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellacious
Adjective
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The dog days of summer brought intense heat to the Volunteer State, including a nearly month-long streak of 90-degree days in July, the fifth longest in Nashville’s history, said the weather service.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
23 Aug. 2025
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Leaders will come under intense scrutiny both personal and professional.—
Chloe Demrovsky,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Danielle Brian, the executive director of the Project on Government Oversight, a group that investigates corruption and waste in the government, said the tax benefit had historically been aimed at encouraging companies to stay in business during difficult times.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
22 Aug. 2025
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The Chamber said the cancellation was a difficult decision but ultimately the best course of action.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Landing after months of public sparring between county leaders and the governor, the letter signaled the start of an intensive review that would put nearly every corner of county government under Tallahassee’s microscope.—
Josh Salman,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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In the era of intensive parenting, vacation has turned into something that many parents need a vacation from.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Taking the most challenging courses available — like AP, IB, honors, or dual enrollment classes — signals preparedness for college-level work.—
Liz Doe Stone,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Getting the Supreme Court to take this case at all is going to be extremely challenging.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The incident comes amid fierce controversy around pro-Palestinian activism and free speech in the UK, with musicians often at the forefront.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
23 Aug. 2025
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Data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows Democrats ahead of Republicans in overall fundraising, with more success among House Democrats than senators, as the parties gear up for a fierce 2026 midterm election.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Yermak’s been a pivotal conduit for Ukraine in negotiating with the U.S. and its European allies, particularly in pushing for tougher sanctions on Russia.—
Chris Massaro,
FOXNews.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Unlike Trump, they aren’t charmed by the Kremlin’s tough guy.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The smallest magnetic loops ever seen in the sun's corona — imaged for the first time by the National Science Foundation's Daniel F. Inouye Solar Telescope — could be the bottom floor of the machinery that powers the ferocious flares that routinely blast out from our star.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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The players rose to it too; their start was ferocious, matching the atmosphere.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There are any number of predictable ways this scenario might have developed but the film is rigorous in its rejection of clichés or simple fixes.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Aug. 2025
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Students must fall below an income cap and meet Vanderbilt's rigorous admissions standards to get in.—
The Tennessean,
The Tennessean,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hellacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellacious. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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