fast 1 of 4

1
2

fast

2 of 4

adjective

1
2
3
4
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Try This Instead

For
Try This
a fast response
a quick response
a timely response
a speedy response
a rapid response
a same-day response
a fast pace
an accelerated pace
a swift pace
a rapid pace
a quick pace
a frantic pace
a fast track
a focused track
an expeditious track
a quick track
a rapid track
an advanced track
a fast service
a quick-response service
an efficient service
a prompt service
an instant service
a timely service
a fast growth
a rapid growth
a drastic growth
a swift growth
a sharp growth
a strong growth

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

The words expeditious and fast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
Meanwhile, two council members — Rodriguez and Traci Park — say the council is not moving fast enough in preparing another 2026 bond measure to build or repair fire stations. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2025 Moving fast and breaking things may be an acceptable way to conduct business at a tech company. Brian Schatz, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Reddit’s fourth-quarter sales grew 71% year over year to $428 million, which represents the fastest growth rate for any quarter since 2022. Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025 From today, Europe will arm itself more wisely and faster than Russia. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia and an activist and author, has called on the faith community to start a 40-day fast from shopping at Target during Lent starting on March 5, which is Ash Wednesday. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 Its long-term vision includes creating sustainable all-climate fast charging batteries capable of operating efficiently in both low- and high-temperature environments. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
These practices might be religious, like praying or fasting; or secular, like going for a walk in the woods or writing in your journal. Ruth Tam, NPR, 27 Feb. 2025 According to his wife’s account, Walker would fast periodically, and then would have visions. Hilarie M. Sheets, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • Kansas City is quite familiar with Tech’s hit song ‘Red Kingdom’ which quickly became the Kansas City Chief’s team anthem, often played at Arrowhead Stadium.
    J.M. Banks, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Will Smith can always count on his family to have his back — quite literally!
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Listen: The Five Eyes have noticed Hanging over the rapid dissolution of these old relationships is the question of who would lead in the United States’ absence.
    Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • The report listed 17 recommendations falling under four categories: rapid access to housing and shelter; expanded overdose prevention; physical, mental health and substance use treatment; and collaboration with municipalities and unincorporated communities to reduce traffic deaths.
    Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His comments came during an hourlong interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, a loyal supporter of President Trump, in the governor’s new podcast.
    Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Retribution killings between Sunnis and Alawites The revenge killings that started Friday by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government against members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect are a major blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the overthrow of the former government.
    Sarah El Deeb, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This prevents dormant accounts with unlimited access from becoming potential security risks over a period of time, ensuring tighter control over permissions.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Biosecurity measures are so tight for Wayne-Sanderson Farms, our CBS News cameras were not allowed inside a farm or facility.
    Kati Weis, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • False Hope And Fake Assurances Ransomware operators also exploit victims with false assurances, creating a deceptive sense of hope that there is a way to resolve the situation.
    Stu Sjouwerman, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • That’s the film’s greatest surprise, its secret deceptive pitch.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Potassium helps produce sturdy plants and increases plants’ resistance to stress but overapplication of potassium (and too much of any nutrient) can cause other necessary nutrients to become unavailable to the plant.
    Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
  • As professional travelers, pilots and flight attendants have an eye for high-quality and sturdy luggage.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • He was injured almost immediately in the fall of 2018 and didn’t return until February; by that time Cleveland was already in stage 1 of a painful (but, ultimately, short) rebuild.
    Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Some knobby with new growth, some short or gigantic, some suffering or shrunken, some reaching over paths and roads.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Think of this section as your highlight reel, showing off your knowledge and results in quick, digestible chunks.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • In his final words his team before tip-off, Skerry stressed filling the gaps on defense, turning defensive rebounds into quick transition offense, and running a first offensive play featuring sophomore guard and CAA Player of the Year Tyler Tejada.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!