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

Linda McMahon’s nomination as Secretary of Education certainly follows a trend of rapid-fire naming of mostly unconventional candidates for cabinet level positions in the second Trump administration. —Christopher R. Marsicano, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Danica McKellar had the perfect response when Cheryl Burke hit her with some rapid-fire questions about her experiences on Dancing with the Stars. —Julia Moore, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Instead, the two actors take a rapid-fire trip down memory lane as Rogen prepares for his wedding. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Nov. 2024

Which is where Josephina shows her natural aptitude for the job, owning a standing target at the firing range and demonstrating a rapid-fire mastery of boots-on-the-ground directives in the noise-torture obstacle course or whatever. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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