hellbent

American  

[hel-bent] / ˈhɛlˌbɛnt /

adjective

1. stubbornly or recklessly determined.

2. going at terrific speed.

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adverb

1. in a hellbent manner; with reckless determination; at full speed.

hellbent British  

/ ˌhɛlˈbɛnt /

adjective

1. informal strongly or rashly intent

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Etymology

Origin of hellbent

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; hell + bent ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hellbent

So before he designed a single play, Sumrall spent the offseason hellbent on a much more fundamental mission.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

Set in one tatty motel room in 1967 Detroit, “Voices” is a vicious flick about rising two soul acts hellbent on getting on stage that night to impress Motown Records’ Barry Gordy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

What sets “Go” apart from much of the writing about the Beats is its clear-eyed confrontation with the downside of hellbent freedom—the hangovers, the chaos, the destructive relationships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

And in a culture so hellbent on idol worship and exhausting discourse, where every blemish is smoothed out or screamed at, “SNL” still offers us something scrappy and unvarnished.

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026

Will wanted nothing so much as to ride hellbent for the safety of the Wall, but that was not a feeling to share with your commander.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin