HELLACIOUS Synonyms: 154 Similar and Opposite Words

hellacious

adjective

ˌhe-ˈlā-shəs

Definition of hellacious

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hellacious His hellacious brand of defense is a nightmare for opposing benches in particular. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026 The skiers were in a valley below Perry Peak, but the two survivors have described battling through hellacious conditions in the hour before the avalanche. — Andrew Graham april 2, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 But the tour was a hellacious time for Bachman. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2026 Even against a hellacious Houston defense, the Patriots’ shortest path to victory is to ask Maye to carry them yet again. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hellacious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hellacious

Adjective

Utilities have raised rates to pay for wildfire prevention and recovery as climate change has made the blazes more intense and frequent.

— Sophie Austin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
Electrolyte beverages can help replenish hydration after an intense workout or stomach bug.

— Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

The losses linked to the demise of these groups are difficult to quantify, but participants and advocates say the impacts will reverberate across federal agencies for years.

— Katia Riddle, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
Ground surveys can provide more detailed information at a particular site, but covering an entire subway corridor that way would be difficult.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of difficult

Adjective

By the twentieth century, intensive farming practices had left the South dangerously vulnerable to erosion, producing depleted swaths of land where kudzu would later flourish.

— The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 Aug. 2026
The next day, Alex Pretti, an intensive-care nurse and a lifelong Catholic, was shot and killed by federal agents.

— Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

For the healthcare providers in attendance, the party — which featured games and activities for the kids — is a chance to see the real-life impact of their often emotionally challenging work.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Because of the challenging terrain, the bridges are designed to be constructed without heavy machinery.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of challenging

Adjective

Casemiro and Messi, fierce rivals when Casemiro was at Real Madrid and Messi at Barcelona, celebrated together, a rare sight for longtime La Liga fans.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
Pearce was celebrating five years of Opry membership and would return later to channel many aspects of Dolly, from her humor and fierce independence to her Appalachian roots.

— Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of fierce

Adjective

The war, and in particular Iran’s direct targeting of the Gulf, makes this approach a tough pill to swallow.

— Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
The conversation shifted from tougher ordinances toward resource allocation and investing in third spaces, which are places outside of work, school or home.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of tough

Adjective

That was the last time Tamang saw Yangri, who was whisked away by ferocious flash floods that ripped through this part of the Himalayan nation earlier this week.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The run game of Agoura is ferocious and experienced, but Westlake’s QB play is better.

— Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of ferocious

Adjective

Every personal finance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of home loan products.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But alongside serious thinkers such as Rankine, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Saidiya Hartman, less rigorous writers and ideas were also elevated.

— Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of rigorous

Browse Nearby Words

hell

hellacious

hell-bent

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“Hellacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hellacious. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of hellacious

adjective

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