hellbent

American

[hel-bent] / ˈhɛlˌbɛnt /

adjective

stubbornly or recklessly determined.
going at terrific speed.

adverb

in a hellbent manner; with reckless determination; at full speed.

hellbent British

/ ˌhɛlˈbɛnt /

adjective

informal strongly or rashly intent

"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 hellbent

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; hell + bent ¹

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.

Major food companies were even hellbent on following the bandwagon.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

The farmer said he was "hellbent" on keeping the horses there as it was a "family tradition".

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Rosenbaum recalled that the jury was picked from “a lot of retired government employees” who seemed hellbent on conviction.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2024

Vance is: one is a bittersweet reflection on rural, small-town upbringing, and the other is an angry, revenge anthem for those hellbent on destroying everything in their path.

From Slate • Jul. 19, 2024

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

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