Antonyms for hell

Grammar : Noun

Spell : hel

Phonetic Transcription : hɛl

Definition of hell

Origin : Old English hel, helle, "nether world, abode of the dead, infernal regions," from Proto-Germanic *haljo "the underworld" (cf. Old Frisian helle, Dutch hel, Old Norse hel, German Hölle, Gothic halja "hell") "the underworld," literally "concealed place" (cf. Old Norse hellir "cave, cavern"), from PIE *kel- "to cover, conceal, save" (see cell).
The English word may be in part from Old Norse Hel (from Proto-Germanic *halija "one who covers up or hides something"), in Norse mythology the name of Loki's daughter, who rules over the evil dead in Niflheim, the lowest of all worlds (nifl "mist"). Transfer of a pagan concept and word to a Christian idiom. In Middle English, also of the Limbus Patrum, place where the Patriarchs, Prophets, etc. awaited the Atonement. Used in the KJV for Old Testament Hebrew Sheol and New Testament Greek Hades, Gehenna. Used figuratively for "state of misery, any bad experience" since at least late 14c. As an expression of disgust, etc., first recorded 1670s.
Expression Hell in a handbasket is attested by 1867, in a context implying use from a few years before, and the notion of going to Heaven in a handbasket is from 1853, with a sense of "easy passage" to the destination. Hell or high water (1874) apparently is a variation of between the devil and the deep blue sea. To wish someone would go to hell is in Shakespeare ("Merchant of Venice"). Snowball's chance in hell "no chance" is from 1931; till hell freezes over "never" is from 1832. To ride hell for leather is from 1889, originally with reference to riding on horseback. Hell on wheels is said to be from 1843 in DAS; popularity dates from 1869 in reference to the temporary workers' towns along the U.S. transcontinental railroad and their vices.

noun place of the condemned; bad situation

Example sentences :

The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a heaven of hell: a hell of heaven!
Extract from : « Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia » by Thomas Mitchell

Wilson told me when he got home that he had sent Ben to hell, and that he would send me there too.
Extract from : « Biography of a Slave » by Charles Thompson

"You will find that you are up against a hell of a frost," she would declare, brutally.
Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana

Yes, surely she had been in that hell of noises with him—fighting too.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

"Yes, racin's hell now," commented Dixon with laconic directness.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

Didn't beat—what the hell—didn't the Chestnut get the verdict?
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

I wouldn't go through the hell I've lived in again for all the money in the world.
Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser

I don't know what the hell she'd do for gossip if we were to get married.
Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine

My dear old Mac, what the hell's the good of a title like that?
Extract from : « The Foolish Lovers » by St. John G. Ervine

The moon lit up his face and it was the face of a devil from hell.
Extract from : « Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates » by Howard Pyle

Synonyms for hell

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019