rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r 

1

: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession

2

: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness

a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Synonyms

• blistering
• breakneck
• breathless
• brisk
• dizzy
• fast
• fleet
• fleet-footed
• flying
• galloping
• hasty
• hot
• lightning
• nippy
• quick
• rapid
• rattling
• snappy
• speedy
• splitting
• swift
• whirlwind
• zippy

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning

Recent Examples on the Web

The Trump administration’s rapid-fire policy changes have also been perplexing for the Fed, which is tasked with managing borrowing costs. —Bryan Mena, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

Another captures the rapid-fire trill of an automatic weapon. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025

Rob recited a list of past guests (John Lennon, Bob Marley, and Debbie Harry, to name a few) before launching into a series of rapid-fire anecdotes. —Edmund Vallance, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025

To be sure, the CFRA strategist also noted potential differences this time, saying that uncertainty over trade and tariff policy — currently the biggest market overhang — could remain an issue for some time, as the rapid-fire policy changes from the Trump administration show no sign of abating. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rapid-fire

• acquire
• attire
• bonfire
• campfire
• ceasefire
• conspire
• desire
• enquire
• entire
• greenbrier
• gunfire
• homebuyer

Kids Definition

rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire

ˌrap-əd-ˈfī(ə)r

1

: able to fire shots rapidly

a rapid-fire weapon

2

: marked by a rapid rate or pace

spoke rapid-fire Spanish