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

This had caused alarm that Argentina could be hurtling towards an economic crisis.

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The accident, which saw the picture-postcard 19th-century Gloria tramway hurtle into a building after careering off the rails, killed 16 people and laid bare fears over the safety of the popular yet ageing tourist attraction.

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The accident, which saw the picture-postcard 19th-century Gloria tramway hurtle into a building after careering off the rails, shocked the Portuguese capital, laying bare fears over the safety of the popular yet ageing tourist attraction.

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The judge said he had stepped into the road in a way many others would have done and had been sent "hurtling" into the air.

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It is an image of industrial power and might, from an era when Germany was hurtling towards decades of devastating war.

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Related Words

• collide 
• lunge 
• scoot