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Definition of breakneck

breakneck

/ˈbreɪk.nɛk/
break · neck
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breakneck Lexical Profile

breakneck Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Dangerously or extremely fast and reckless (especially of speed, pace, or rate of change).

Example

"The tech startup expanded at a breakneck pace over the course of a single year."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for breakneck

• Nearby Words

breaker
breakeven
breakfast
breakneck
breakout
breakpoint
breakroom

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-16th century as a verb-object compound of 'break' and 'neck', originally referring to a steep precipice, horse, or reckless rider likely to cause a fatal broken neck.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Breakneck. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/breakneck
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