hurtle

American  

[hur-tl] / ˈhɜr 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.

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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 British  

/ ˈhɜːtəl /

verb

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

2. rare (intr) to collide or crash

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Etymology

Origin of hurtle

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

Example Sentences

Firetrucks hurtled by, forgoing those burning homes believed to be lost causes.

From Los Angeles Times

But China’s first attempt to land a first stage from an orbital launch ended with the booster hurtling down to Earth and narrowly missing its landing pad.

From MarketWatch

The accelerating calendar of shuttle diplomacy and summits in recent weeks suggests the debate is hurtling toward a frenetic conclusion.

From The Wall Street Journal

The L.A. comedy scene’s favorite curmudgeon is still finding the will to propel himself forward, hurtling over one existential crisis after another.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Secret Agent” isn’t tightly coiled so much as it gradually unfolds, its full meaning unclear until the filmmaker eventually hurtles forward nearly 50 years, snapping the final puzzle piece into place.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collide
• lunge
• scoot