hurtle

[ hur-tl ]

verb (used without object)

, hur·tled, hur·tling.

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)

, hur·tled, hur·tling.

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

Over the edge, you hurtle forward at a speed the human body was never meant to travel at.

From The Daily Beast

As we hurtle together to the fiscal cliff, the Republicans are getting much the worse of the media battle.

From The Daily Beast

Ice masses, especially ones the size of Canadian provinces, do not technically “hurtle.”

From The Daily Beast

Dimly he saw the harpoon hurtle through the spray and the sharp crack of the explosion sounded in his ear.

From Project Gutenberg

Pen thought it was quite an honor to have seen the great Mr. Hurtle, whose works he admired.

From Project Gutenberg

He made sure that the folds projected above his hat, and would shut out all bullets that might hurtle against the unique helmet.

From Project Gutenberg

Through watering eyes he saw the black cloud of flying beasts hurtle up from the trees below.

From Project Gutenberg

Others said that there certainly had been a Mr. Hurtle, and that to the best of their belief he still existed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• collide
• lunge
• scoot