hurtle

[hur-tl]

verb (used without object)

hurtled, hurtling 

1. to rush violently; move with great speed.

   The car hurtled down the highway.

   Synonyms: shoot, rush, race, fly, speed

2. to move or go noisily or resoundingly, as with violent or rapid motion.

   The sound was deafening, as tons of snow hurtled down the mountain.

3. Archaic.,  to strike together or against something; collide.

verb (used with object)

hurtled, hurtling 

1. to drive violently; fling; dash.

2. Archaic.,  to dash against; collide with.

noun

1. Archaic.,  clash; collision; shock; clatter.

hurtle

/ ˈhɜːtəl /

verb

1. to project or be projected very quickly, noisily, or violently

2. rare,  (intr) to collide or crash

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurtle¹

1175–1225; Middle English hurtle, equivalent to hurt ( en ) ( hurt ) + -le -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of hurtle¹

C13 hurtlen, from hurten to strike; see _hurt ¹

Example Sentences

Despite the shock of that exit, Strictly is hurtling towards its final weeks - and the contest is getting tougher.

Read more on BBC

One of the shards of her body hurtles straight toward me, whistling with speed and shimmering with power.

Read more on Literature

Cassiopeia yelled as she and her brothers hurtled through the door.

Read more on Literature

Omnibuses hurtled down the street at alarming speed, and a line of hansom cabs waited at the curb.

Read more on Literature

Storm surges send waves hurtling over the streets of the Philippine island of Catanduanes as Typhoon Fung-wong bears down on the region.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• collide 
• lunge 
• scoot