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
There’s no better action movie on Earth than George Miller’s hell-for-leather quest for water and redemption. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 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
  • In NyKayla’s case, prosecutors could only reach a meaningful sentence by charging the gun’s owner with reckless endangerment after a child was already dead.
    — Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Groups of kids, some as young as elementary school age, tear through our streets at reckless speeds with no regard for pedestrians.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of reckless
Adverb
  • Some come so quickly that there’s barely time to process how they were accomplished.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Besides faulty lactose digestion, nonwhite bodies were accused of other failures, too, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, an inability to digest alcohol quickly.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adjective
  • Finn Gomez / Getty Images Kirkwood, who races for Andretti Global, started second but took the lead on the opening lap with a daring maneuver around the outside of pole-sitter and championship leader Alex Palou in front of the National Archives.
    — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
  • As the investigation unfolded, what initially appeared to be a daring ransom scheme evolved into a complex story of obsession, deception, and unexpected motives.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of daring
Adverb
  • The program is built around a vision of cinema and technology developing side by side, with a scope that runs from brand-film partnerships to the fast-growing microdrama business.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parents these days have a lot on their plate, not least an increasingly digitized, discerning set of kids fast approaching term time.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • News earlier in the month, Johnson and East chatted about life at home with their three little ones, and shared which kid is taking on a daredevil personality.
    — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of daredevil
Adverb
  • Memory is crucial for effective leadership, as the role often demands absorbing information rapidly and recalling the right details at critical moments.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Starship is the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built, and both Super Heavy and Ship are designed to be fully and rapidly reusable.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • In 2023, Diamond Crystal introduced baking salt, a fine salt that dissolves quicker, melting into dough and batters.
    — Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Copper became the fastest player in franchise history to score 2,000 points with Phoenix, doing so in 103 games, a game quicker than Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick
Adverb
  • The additional personnel — and coordination with Fever, league and arena security and the Chicago Police Department — made Alter feel confident the team could intervene swiftly if Kanter Freedom crossed a line.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • He was acquitted in 2020, but was swiftly rearrested on charges linking him to Turkey’s 2016 coup attempt.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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