hurtle

To hurtle means to move very fast, usually with strong force or momentum. It often gives a feeling of danger, urgency, or little control, like a comet hurtling through space or a skier hurtling down a steep slope. You might read about cars hurtling along a highway or an object hurtling toward the ground. The word is not only about speed; it also suggests powerful forward movement.

Imagine a runaway train barreling down the tracks, or a stone shot from a slingshot: that is the feeling of hurtle. It describes movement that is very fast, forceful, and often dramatic. A person, vehicle, object, or even time can hurtle somewhere. Compared with simply "move fast," this word adds a sense of momentum and often a hint of danger or urgency.

It is commonly used for physical movement: rocks hurtling down a hill, trucks hurtling along a road, or debris hurtling through the air. It can also be used in a more figurative way. Years can hurtle by, which means they seem to pass very quickly. A company can hurtle toward failure, or events can hurtle toward a crisis, showing a fast and hard-to-stop movement in that direction.

The word often suggests that the motion is hard to stop or control, but not always completely wild. An athlete may hurtle toward the finish line on purpose, while a loose rock may be hurtling downhill because of gravity. In both cases, the key idea is strong, fast movement. If something is hurtling, it is not just going quickly; it is rushing ahead with force.