hellbent
hellbent
Pronunciation
hellbent (IPA: /ˈhɛlˌbɛnt/)
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
hell (hɛl)
/h/ - voiceless glottal fricative (similar to the sound of breath exiting your lungs)
/ɛ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel (similar to the "e" in "bet")
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant (the tip of your tongue touches the roof of your mouth behind your upper front teeth, with airflow escaping on the sides)
bent (bɛnt)
/b/ - voiced bilabial plosive (your lips come together to block airflow, then release)
/ɛ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel (same as above)
/n/ - voiced alveolar nasal (the tip of your tongue touches the roof of your mouth behind your upper front teeth, with airflow escaping through your nose)
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive (the tip of your tongue touches the ridge behind your upper front teeth to block airflow, then releases)
Word Form Variations
"Hellbent" is already in its base form. It functions as an adjective and doesn't have variations for plural, comparative, or superlative.
Here's a breakdown:
Number: There's no singular or plural form for "hellbent." It describes a state of being, not quantity.
Comparison: There's no comparative ("more hellbent") or superlative ("most hellbent") form. It expresses a strong level of determination that doesn't require comparison.
You can use adverbs to modify the intensity, though. For example:
Absolutely hellbent (stronger emphasis)
Slightly hellbent (weaker emphasis)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Definition 1:
Intensely determined, often to the point of recklessness. (This is the most common definition)
Synonyms: Gung-ho, dead set, determined, resolute, obsessed, fixated (with a negative connotation)
Antonyms: Indifferent, apathetic, unsure, hesitant, uncommitted
Definition 2:
Moving very fast or with great urgency. (Less common definition)
Synonyms: Speeding, racing, hurtling, dashing
Antonyms: Slow, sluggish, dawdling, ambling
Examples of Use
1. Literature:
"Captain Ahab, in Moby Dick, was hellbent on revenge against the white whale, ultimately leading to his own destruction."
2. Newspapers:
"The protestors were hellbent on shutting down the factory, despite the potential economic consequences."
"The headline screamed: 'Politicians Hellbent on Gridlock.'"
3. Online Publications:
"The gaming community is hellbent on uncovering every secret in the new open-world RPG."
4. Entertainment Media:
Movie: "In Mad Max: Fury Road, Imperator Furiosa is hellbent on escaping the clutches of the tyrannical Immortan Joe."
TV Show: "On Breaking Bad, Walter White becomes increasingly hellbent on building his drug empire, even at the cost of his family."
5. General Public Discourse:
"My friend is hellbent on learning how to play the guitar, practising for hours every day."
"The neighbours seem hellbent on throwing a party every weekend, keeping everyone awake."
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Hellbent
While "hellbent" is a powerful term, it's not as common in famous quotes as you might expect. Here are a few creative options, some adapting existing quotes, and some originals:
Original: "They were hellbent on adventure, their youthful hearts yearning for the unknown."
Adapted: "The course of true love never did run smooth' (Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream). Instead, it often finds us hellbent on overcoming obstacles."
Original: "The scientist was hellbent on unlocking the secrets of the universe, even if it meant defying conventional wisdom."
Adapted: "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. (English Proverb). Sometimes, a little hellbent curiosity is the key to real satisfaction."
Original: "The athlete, fueled by a relentless spirit, was hellbent on breaking the world record."
Movie Quote (adapted): "They do not fear the pain, for the pain is their teacher. (The Matrix). They are hellbent on learning every lesson, no matter the cost."
Original: "The artist, consumed by inspiration, was hellbent on capturing the essence of beauty on canvas."
Original: "The detective, with an unwavering focus, was hellbent on cracking the case."
Original: "The politician, driven by ambition, was hellbent on reaching the highest office."
Original: "Though the path was treacherous, the hikers were hellbent on reaching the summit."
Etymology
The word "hellbent" is basically a mashup of two familiar words: "hell" and "bent."
Hell: This one's pretty straightforward. It refers to a place of intense suffering, often used figuratively to emphasise something really bad.
Bent: This means determined, focused, or set on a particular course of action.
So, put them together, and "hellbent" means super determined, almost to the point where it seems reckless or dangerous.
The word first showed up around the 1730s, most likely in America. Back then, it meant the same thing it does today – being incredibly determined, often in a way that might seem a bit crazy.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Hellbent
Here are some phrases and idioms using "hellbent":
Hell-bent for leather: This is a classic idiom emphasising extreme speed and determination. It likely originated from imagery of riding a horse very fast (leather saddle).
Go hell-bent for something: Similar to the above, this emphasises strong determination in pursuing something.
Dead-set hellbent: This is a way to double down on the intensity of the determination, using "dead-set" as a synonym for strongly determined.
Not hellbent on something: This acts as a negation, implying a lack of strong determination or even indifference.
Hellbent on destruction: This emphasises a negative and potentially harmful goal someone is fiercely pursuing.
Hellbent on success: This focuses on a positive goal with strong determination.
Posts Related to Hellbent
Source Information
Definition of hellbent from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
