heck

noun

ˈhek How to pronounce heck (audio)
Synonyms of hecknext
1
: hell sense 2
all heck breaks loose
2
: hell sense 4
a heck of a lot of money

Synonyms of heck

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Examples of heck in a Sentence

it looks like heck in that boy's bedroom
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But that disappointment comes with a whole heck of a lot of hunger for Sanchez, a senior defender who earned all-state honors last fall. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 That Sean Payton won by 20 on the road and still spent a good chunk of his postgame presser either complaining, yammering about Jack Lemmon, or both, is a heck of a good sign. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2026 Tell me what the heck a gross bacterium that spreads disease has to do with sunscreen. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2026 Be a menace to people in the community, driving his boat 70 to 80 miles per hour, driving around scaring the heck out of people, taking people's lives. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for heck

Word History

Etymology

euphemism

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of heck was in 1887

Rhymes for heck

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Browse Nearby Words

Hechtia
heck
Heck
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Cite this Entry

“Heck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heck. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Biographical Definition

Heck

biographical name

ˈhek How to pronounce Heck (audio)
Richard F(red) 1931–2015 American chemist

More from Merriam-Webster on heck

Nglish: Translation of heck for Spanish Speakers

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