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

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

As Tesla stock soared in after-hours trading following its earnings surprise, CEO Elon Musk joined a call with analysts to take rapid-fire questions about the electric vehicle maker’s finances and lagging production. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024

Messi came on as a substitute in the second half and stole the show with a rapid-fire hat-trick, netting three goals between the 78th and 89th minute. —Sam Joseph, CNN, 21 Oct. 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