SPEEDY Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'speedy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious , fast , fleet , hasty , quick , rapid , and swift . While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity. // speedy delivery of mail

Q: When can 'expeditious' be used instead of 'speedy'?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. // the expeditious handling of an order

Q: How do 'fast' and 'rapid' relate to one another, in the sense of 'speedy'?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves. // fast horses

Q: When could 'fleet' be used to replace 'speedy'?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. // fleet runners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hasty' instead of 'speedy'?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. // a hasty inspection

Q: When is 'quick' a more appropriate choice than 'speedy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy , quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. // a quick wit

Q: Where would 'rapid' be a reasonable alternative to 'speedy'?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves. // rapid current

Q: When might 'swift' be a better fit than 'speedy'?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. // returned the ball with one swift stroke

speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē

Definition of speedy

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay I was surprised by and pleased with the company's speedy response to my complaints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective speedy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When can expeditious be used instead of speedy?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How do fast and rapid relate to one another, in the sense of speedy?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace speedy?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of speedy?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is quick a more appropriate choice than speedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to speedy?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When might swift be a better fit than speedy?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

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 speedy Garcia Torres then invoked his speedy trial rights, leading to a July 13 deadline to begin formal trial proceedings. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 In his first career start, against Colorado, Lewis harassed speedy QB Kordell Stewart all day, notching 17 tackles in a Miami win. — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 25 June 2026 Feeding the graphics is a Blackwell-series RTX 5070, perfectly suited for speedy performance at this exact resolution. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026 The scientific consensus, quantified in the current physical activity recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, is at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise, such as speedy walking. — Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for speedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speedy

Adjective

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.

— CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
At the heart of the clash is how to manage wild horse populations that can reproduce at a rapid clip.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of rapid

Adjective

The report's authors said the case highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any direct contact with a bat, even if there is no visible bite or scratch.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
The tang of the sauce was eye-widening and immediate, crackling with the bright, citrusy charge of tomatillos and serrano chiles.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley There may still be questions about whether the romance between Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley was genuine, and their secret, quick-turn overseas wedding didn't help matters.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
But upon closer inspection Mbiya appears significantly leaner and quicker.

— Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

Definition of quick

Adjective

Its lightweight frame packages a swift 5-minute charge option that hooks up 3 hours of extra listening, Multi-Point device switching, and Voice Aware side-tone monitoring for phone calls.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 July 2026
Dent works to instill a culture of swift response anytime a light outside a room door flashes on.

— Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026

Definition of swift

Adjective

The iconic fast food company has grown beyond its California roots in recent years, opening locations in Colorado, Texas, Idaho, and as far east as Tennessee.

— James Powel, USA Today, 7 July 2026
From climate change to drug discovery, quantum computing is expected to be solve problems at a pace where even the fastest supercomputers appear to be slow-moving snails.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 6 July 2026

Definition of fast

Adjective

My job is to report in a timely manner on crime, mass shootings, war coverage, domestic and international affairs, pop culture and more.

— Doha Madani, NBC news, 1 July 2026
With multiple timely benefits, a CD account could be especially worth opening for savers this July.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of timely

Adjective

Studies show that orgasms also relieve menstrual pain, lower blood pressure, enhance circulation, correlate with better cardiac functioning, and burn calories equivalent to thirty minutes of brisk walking.

— Melanie Thernstrom, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
The glacier carts and kiosks that dish out ice cream, soft serve and sorbets did brisk business all week.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 27 June 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.

— Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
Designed by renowned architect Dominique Perrault, its four stories tilting forward are said to evoke a galloping horse.

— Rob Hodgetts at Longchamp, CNN, 15 Oct. 2019

Definition of galloping

Browse Nearby Words

speed (up)

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“Speedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speedy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of speedy

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