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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hellbent

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

A few old-school hotels are hellbent on keeping the circus going.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

I was hellbent on impressing my guests with culinary theatrics and wild flavors, thinking the more labor I poured into my meals, the better the quality of my party.

From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026

I think part of it was because they were quite hellbent on her being vulnerable, on her being soft, and that was what I was playing in those first two, three episodes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 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

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