Hellish

/ˈhɛl.ɪʃ/

Meaning & Definition

adjective
Of or resembling hell; extremely unpleasant, horrible, or tormenting.
The weather was hellish, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees for days on end.
Involving or marked by extreme suffering or torture.
The hellish conditions in the prison led to numerous protests from human rights organizations.
Intense or fierce, often describing something difficult to endure.
The team faced a hellish schedule, playing seven games in just two weeks.

Etymology

Derived from the word 'hell' combined with the suffix '-ish' denoting a characteristic or resemblance.

Common Phrases and Expressions

hellish conditions
Extreme and unbearable circumstances or situations.
a hellish nightmare
A particularly terrifying and distressing experience.
hellish heat
Extreme and oppressive heat.

Related Words

hell
A place of suffering and torment in various religious beliefs.
hellraiser
A person who causes trouble or chaos, often used in a rebellious context.

Slang Meanings

A particularly rough or bad time.
That exam was hellish; I thought I'd never get through it.
Used to describe something that is outrageously difficult or problematic.
This project has been hellish ever since we started.