HEADLONG Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

headlong 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhed-ˌlȯŋ

Definition of headlong next

as in hurried

acting or done with excessive or careless speed terrified forest creatures in a headlong retreat from the rapidly spreading fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

headlong

2 of 2

adverb

ˈhed-ˈlȯŋ

as in hastily

with excessive or careless speed plunged headlong into the crowd in pursuit of the purse snatcher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediately

without delay had barely finished the last project when we went headlong into the next one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of headlong

Adjective

Hearst was headlong into her own group, Borrowed Angels. —

Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 10 Sep. 2024 Witt’s quest evolved beyond a casual journalistic undertaking into a headlong immersion; drugs and nightlife began to feel like the answer to problems personal, political, and philosophical. —

Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2024

Adverb

Ultimately, this led to an array of mistakes, from minor to critical, that weren’t addressed – or even caught – until students ran headlong into them. —

Cory Turner, NPR, 24 Sep. 2024 Trouble is, the Fever are about to run headlong into the buzzsaw that is the Connecticut Sun. —

Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 22 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for headlong

Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong

Adjective

Diners harken back to a simpler time in American life before the rise of hurried drive-thrus and impersonal delivery services.

Tyler Buchanan, Axios, 18 Oct. 2024
The plot is hurried, leaving the actors insufficient time to find their footing.

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024