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

Many scramble to keep up with the stampede of developments, the rapid-fire transformation of industries, and the improbable output of AI image generators. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

But they were released rapid-fire in a big news dump. —Ars Technica, 20 Dec. 2024

Tucker takes over leadership at the historically Black, public university amid rapid-fire leadership upheavals and dire financial challenges. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Suffice it to say that the stars make a similarly charming duo in a new installment of Off the Cuff, which sees Chalamet and Fanning trade rapid-fire questions about life, work, style, and Dylan lyrics. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 19 Dec. 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