HASTE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'haste' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch , expedition , hurry , and speed . While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness. // marry in haste

Q: How are the words 'expedition' and 'dispatch' related as synonyms of 'haste'?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters. // the case came to trial with expedition // paid bills with dispatch

Q: When could 'hurry' be used to replace 'haste'?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion. // in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

Q: When can 'speed' be used instead of 'haste'?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action. // exercises to increase your reading speed

haste

noun

ˈhāst

Definition of haste

as in speed

a high rate of movement or performance made haste to get there on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hustle

excited and often showy or disorderly speed haste makes waste in her haste, she forgot her keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun haste contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch, expedition, hurry, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of haste?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

When could hurry be used to replace haste?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

When can speed be used instead of haste?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of haste While some contend the Heat acted with too much haste in extending Nikola Jovic, there seems to be enough there with Pelle to avoid the risk of dealing with free agency. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Every other guest of the resort should get a full refund, post-haste. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 If things start to look like an actual slowdown of AI is going to be imposed, there will be a heightened frenzy to beat the deadline and proceed with tremendous haste. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the clearest example of lessons learned from the Los Angeles fires was the haste with which local law enforcement worked to evacuate residents, Clemo said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haste

Recent Examples of Synonyms for haste

Noun

The release did not specify the vessel’s operating range, charging time, service speed, or construction schedule.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Motorists are also advised to maintain a safe speed in work zones.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of speed

Noun

Splitting time between the hustle and bustle of NYC and the glee club back at William McKinley just didn’t quite work.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026
The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is divided over whether the AI industry is a destructive capitalist force that could kill everyone, or merely an overhyped capitalist hustle.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of hustle

Noun

In an era of baseball where launch angle and exit velocity are emphasized, home runs are prioritized and striking out has become far too acceptable, Simpson plays a different style.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
In addition, since all this debris is moving at orbital velocity, a fleck of paint traveling in the opposite direction to an operational satellite can hit it at a speed in excess of Mach 47.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of velocity

Noun

The pass rush couldn’t get close to Chambliss (no sacks, 4 hurries), who was able to find receivers exploiting Missouri’s zone coverage.

— PJ Green October 17, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Defensive tackle Will Echoles consistently disrupted the Missouri offensive front for five tackles, two broken up passes, one sack and one quarterback hurry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurry

Noun

Less snow, more extreme rain As the climate warms, more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow, and the reduction in snowpack in the northern Sierra could be drastic.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
The chance of precipitation picks up Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, with Anaheim, Irvine and San Clemente at 95%, Ontario at 92%, Riverside and Lake Elsinore at 91% and San Bernardino at 88%.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of precipitation

Browse Nearby Words

hassling

haste

hasten

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Style

“Haste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haste. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of haste

noun

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