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headlong

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective headlong contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of headlong are abrupt, impetuous, precipitate, and sudden. While all these words mean "showing undue haste or unexpectedness," headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

When is abrupt a more appropriate choice than headlong?

The synonyms abrupt and headlong are sometimes interchangeable, but abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

In what contexts can impetuous take the place of headlong?

While the synonyms impetuous and headlong are close in meaning, impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

Where would precipitate be a reasonable alternative to headlong?

In some situations, the words precipitate and headlong are roughly equivalent. However, precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

When would sudden be a good substitute for headlong?

The words sudden and headlong are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

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 headlong
Adjective
The nuclear dilemma makes Tehran’s position all the more fraught, by likely forcing it into a headlong confrontation with the Trump White House. Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 This headlong, hyper-nuanced account of a teenage girl’s first love fuses the interiority of novels and the sensuous embrace of cinema in ways that other films fumble. Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 22 Feb. 2025
Adverb
The team delve headlong into the uncanny to bring the fascinating world of the podcast to the screen. Holly Jones, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025 Most of the egg-laying chickens — nearly 22 million — died in the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, creating a supply shock that ran headlong into peak seasonal demand around the winter holidays, when more households buy eggs for baking recipes, for example, Smith said. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for headlong
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, the Spaniard drove his happiness in it throughout the facility, always with his signature celebratory cigar and at no greater speed than the hurried pace of an ordinary person.
    Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
  • While some treasure hoards dating to this period appear hurried — as if someone was trying to hide their wealth in a moment of crisis, for example — the Galloway Hoard looks different.
    Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 15 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Concerns about data quality, compliance and the rapid pace of AI advancements have created hesitancy, particularly when AI is hastily deployed into customer-facing applications.
    Sumit Johar, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Digital transformation, automation trends, hastily called layoffs and changing work patterns are filling 2025 with disturbing outcomes – and unique opportunities.
    Marco Buscaglia, Boston Herald, 24 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Attorney information for the man wasn’t immediately available.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
  • As expected, fans immediately jumped in, speculating about which Rising sign Pascal might have.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • If guests are seated promptly, the kitchen doesn’t have to struggle with overcooking or items becoming cold, as everything is timed perfectly.
    Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • He was then promptly detained and scheduled for deportation.
    Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Clients who check their investments frequently tend to experience more anxiety and are more likely to make impulsive changes.
    Andrew Rosen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In Trump's impulsive first term, Waltz might've been fired.
    Marc Caputo, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Should the Spurs need to hire a full-time coach to replace Gregg Popovich, who missed most of this season due to a stroke, Jenkins would instantly become a top candidate, league sources said.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Whether buying something online, splitting a bill or sending money across borders, people expect their money to move instantly.
    Marc Sacal, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Marcantonio faces four counts of first-degree reckless endangerment and a single count each of reckless driving, failure to maintain the proper lane and first-degree manslaughter.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Last year’s Reds dealt with injuries, bad defense, and aggressive base running that sometimes bordered on reckless, among other issues.
    C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
    Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Start cucumbers, squash and melons in large pots now for transplant in a few weeks or seed them directly in the ground toward the end of the month.
    Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

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