Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective expeditious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expeditious are fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related as synonyms of expeditious?

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

fast horses

When is fleet a more appropriate choice than expeditious?

In some situations, the words fleet and expeditious are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of expeditious?

While the synonyms hasty and expeditious are close in meaning, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is it sensible to use quick instead of expeditious?

The synonyms quick and expeditious are sometimes interchangeable, but quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of expeditious?

The words rapid and expeditious can be used in similar contexts, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

Where would speedy be a reasonable alternative to expeditious?

While in some cases nearly identical to expeditious, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When might swift be a better fit than expeditious?

Although the words swift and expeditious have much in common, 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 expeditious His ascent was met with an equally expeditious fall. Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2024 An easy breakfast or expeditious snack, a smoothie is the deliciously healthy cousin to an ice cream shake. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024 But that would have been awkward and not the most expeditious way of accomplishing the task. Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2024 Separately, Creech has two state appeals that were argued on an expeditious timeline before the Idaho Supreme Court on Monday. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for expeditious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expeditious
Adjective
  • The Swedish forward was given a quick audition during the Sens’ blowout loss to the Avalanche earlier this week.
    Julian McKenzie, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
  • While this area did receive rain on Thursday, the blustery winds yesterday resulted in quick drying of fine fuels, which will dry further today.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Knowledge of actual prices will empower employers and unions to design affordable health plans with billing and payment integrity and will allow swift remedy and recourse for overcharges.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Leonie Brown, Lead Product Scientist at Qualtrics, advises using AI to reduce employee workload—think faster answers or better responses—while offering swift human escalation when needed.
    Blake Morgan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Lucas had no immediate comment in response to the letter.
    Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
  • As the sun and Neptune join forces in Pisces, everything from your immediate environment to your communication style is highlighted.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expeditious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expeditious. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on expeditious

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