headlong 1 of 2

headlong

2 of 2

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

Examples 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 show’s vibrant aesthetic and period pop score, meanwhile, provide a nostalgia trip to the early 2000s — while not shying away from what the era’s headlong embrace of social media did to our grasp on collective truth. Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024 From there things just keep happening, as one event unfolds into another in a headlong rush amid the incessant clatter of plates and pans and the machine spitting out endless order tickets. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
Adverb
As companies rush headlong into the AI gold rush, many are finding that their proof-of-concept demos are colliding hard with the realities of practical implementation. Umesh Sachdev, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 But Craig leans headlong into William’s unstoppable interest in all things bad for him, a category that could certainly include Eugene. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for headlong 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headlong
Adjective
  • Overhead, a pair of firefighting helicopters circled in constant, hurried laps between the lake and the burning hillsides.
    Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • He’s got quick crossover acceleration with a hurried stride that cranks its way up ice to give him good speed.
    Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • These journalistic impulses appear compulsory and hastily satisfied; the earlier, eventless reality TV sheen seems a haven of human insight by comparison.
    J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Five minutes before the show was to start, nine rows of bleachers in a temporary grandstand, hastily assembled, quivered and crashed, swallowing about 600 men, women and children.
    Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Musk didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025
  • President Donald Trump has been accused of raising prescription drug prices for seniors by immediately rescinding former President Joe Biden's executive order to lower costs after beginning his second term on Monday.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • After that early Heat surge, the Bucks promptly unleashed a 39-16 rampage and Miami never really recovered, ending on the wrong side of a blowout loss for the second time in a week, dropping below .500 (at 21-22) and finishing the night ninth in the East.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The company’s immediate recall of 31 million bottles and transparent communication demonstrated its commitment to public safety, and as a result, the brand promptly regained trust.
    JoAnn Yamani, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • New York Jets League perception: This is seen as the toughest job because of an impulsive owner (Woody Johnson) and an unforgiving, relentless media market.
    Mike Sando, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Like humans, dogs who have been neglected or who have had some other major disruptive change to their environment can show impulsive aggression.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • The sleek style is a practical swap for jeans that instantly dress up your outfit.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
  • The majestic views changed instantly after rounding a bend revealed an out-of-control fire bounding up the canyon.
    Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Frank Santoro with the L.A. County district attorney’s office argued the probation department was making the necessary improvements and releasing youth inside would be reckless.
    Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
  • He’s become poised to the point of being unrecognizable from his Young Josh days as a gunslinging, sometimes reckless quarterback who sometimes took himself, his teammates and Bills fans on Sunday roller-coaster rides.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • Indeed, research has directly linked high fruit and veg intake with a lower risk of colorectal, breast, and lung cancers, and emerging evidence suggests a plant-heavy diet can cut your risks of stomach, mouth, throat, and esophagus cancers, too.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Though Brown failed to come down with a deep throw from Mahomes in the second quarter — the Texans’ Eric Murray knocked it away at the last second — Mahomes believed displaying that sideline threat directly led to the Chiefs completing a pass to Kelce for 49 yards on the next play.
    Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2025

Podcast

Thesaurus Entries Near headlong

Cite this Entry

“Headlong.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headlong. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on headlong

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!