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 When fighting climate change, there are very few quick wins that will result in expeditious results—even fewer that offer that same urgency in a cost-effective fashion. Dee Lawrence, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 As to availability, Cybertruck deliveries appear to be more expeditious, especially compared to this spring when posted wait times were as far out as 2025. Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 Through intelligent automation, development can be completed at a far more expeditious rate, reliability can be increased, and human error can be minimized. William Jones, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025 The move follows an expeditious effort by Republicans to move the president’s nominees through the chamber. Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expeditious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expeditious
Adjective
  • This mower features a quick start system and a side discharge for efficient grass management.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s how the playoff picture looks: Two quick takeaways here: Multiple seeds in the Western Conference were up for grabs entering yesterday’s games.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The reaction to Trump's tariffs was swift, with Wall Street suffering its worst day since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in earlier this month, sending shockwaves through global financial markets.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The fallout at the Ivy League school has been swift – and the consequences will be enormous, scientists have warned.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These actions often yield more immediate results than waiting for a chance to elect a new president. 2.
    Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But Gmail users also face a more immediate decision, given a critical problem with its most recent updates.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expeditious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expeditious. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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