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Synonyms

breakneck

American  
[breyk-nek] / ˈbreɪkˌnɛk /

adjective

  1. reckless or dangerous, especially because of excessive speed; hazardous.

    He raced through the streets at breakneck speed.
breakneck British  
/ ˈbreɪkˌnɛk /

adjective

  1. (prenominal) (of speed, pace, etc) excessive and dangerous

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of breakneck

First recorded in 1555–65; break + neck

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The contrast between the slow grind lower in March and the subsequent breakneck rally highlights the U.S. equity market’s pronounced right-tail asymmetry and its longer-term progression toward a more bubble-like regime,” they said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

The low ridership on this corridor is part of a broader trend confronting the breakneck expansion of India's metro network.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

During the pandemic, they expanded at a breakneck speed to keep up with demand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Detention centers are being built at breakneck speed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Whoever it was seemed to be traveling at a breakneck pace with little regard to obstructing bush or foliage.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.