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breakneck

breakneck

10 6.7
Very fast in a way that is dangerous
  • adjective
  • /ˈbreɪkˌnɛk/
translation icon : vertiginoso
  • A button is pushed, and the sled is pulled at breakneck speed through the duct.
  • breakneck speed
  • breakneck pace
  • breakneck development

We're moving so fast and at breakneck speed.

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Examples

  • A half dozen MiGs race by the cluster of American aircraft at breakneck speeds.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I mean, both of these things are evolving at a breakneck pace.

  • The world was spinning by at breakneck speed, and these two were responsible for it.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • After half an hour, the car slowed from its breakneck speed and turned sharply to the left.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • In the end, the revival could not sustain itself at that breakneck speed.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The pickup rockets at breakneck speed toward the edge of the field.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The rider continued his breakneck speed, bent low now, as if studying the ground.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Stanley and Charlie are riding along at breakneck speed in a taxi cab.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The Sunaquot team is moving up the ranks at a breakneck pace.

  • In the thrilling car chase, the driver navigated at breakneck speed, making sharp turns and narrowly avoiding accidents.

Synonyms

fast
vsbreakneck
1.0

Moving or happening quickly

suggests extreme, dangerous speed rather than simple or normal quickness
rapid
vsbreakneck
295 1.3

Happening very quickly

adds the idea of hazardous swiftness, not just ordinary quickness
high-speed
vsbreakneck
100 3.2

Able to work or move much faster than normal

signals extreme speed that often implies danger rather than mere design
fast-paced
vsbreakneck
24 3.9

Happening very quickly with a lot of action

refers to movement so fast it feels dangerous, not just lively tempo
high-velocity
vsbreakneck
5 5.7

Moving or working much faster than similar things

adds a sense that such high speed could be dangerous or risky
red-hot
vsbreakneck
2 4.6

Moving or reacting very quickly

carries stronger warning that such speed may be dangerous or harmful
blistering
vsbreakneck
1 5.6

Very fast, moving or happening with great speed

carries the added idea of danger from moving or acting too fast
superfast
vsbreakneck
1 3.2

Moving or working much faster than usual

focuses on extreme speed that feels dangerous or likely to cause harm
ultrafast
vsbreakneck
1 3.9

Much quicker than normal for the same thing

implies extreme speed with a sense of danger or risky speed
lightspeed
vsbreakneck
  • Informal
4.9

Happening or done extremely fast

stresses danger from moving extremely quickly rather than casual rapidity
turbo
vsbreakneck
  • Informal
4.9

Very fast and powerful for use at higher speed

emphasizes danger from extreme speed rather than mere enhanced performance

Antonyms

1.0

Moving or happening at a low speed

210 2.9

Careful to avoid risk or mistakes

How Fast

breakneck
10 6.7
rapid
295 1.3
swift
118 1.4
fast
1.0
slow
1.0

Surface Forms

breakneck positive

Morphology

breakneck = break + neck (semi-transparent) = break + neck

The compound is metaphorical: 'break' + 'neck' evokes deadly danger, so the sense 'dangerously fast' is inferable but idiomatic rather than purely literal.

Etymology

Breakneck comes from the simple words break and neck, creating a strong picture of speed so wild it might 'break' your 'neck'. So, it is used to describe something moving very fast and dangerously.