hellish

adjective

hell·​ish ˈhe-lish How to pronounce hellish (audio)
: of, resembling, or befitting hell
broadly : terrible
hellishly adverb
hellishness noun

Examples of hellish in a Sentence

We've been having hellish weather lately. The battlefield was a hellish scene of death and destruction.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What followed was a hellish few months of surgeries and treatment as Hayes battled a bone infection caused by the bite. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025 In her hierarchy, love — not the protection that political power affords — is the meaningful precondition for safety, even in this hellish country. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 May 2025 Your lawmakers have commanded all good citizens to engage in this hellish sport. Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 19 May 2025 In this movie, their most formidable foes are a hellish bunch of beasties disguised as a rival boy band. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for hellish

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hellish was circa 1530

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Cite this Entry

“Hellish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hellish. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

hellish

adjective
hell·​ish ˈhel-ish How to pronounce hellish (audio)
: of, resembling, or suitable to hell : infernal
hellishly adverb
hellishness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on hellish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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