FAST Synonyms: 631 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fast next

as in quickly

with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

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Relevance

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as in quite

to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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as in loyal

firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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as in tight

firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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as in deceptive

given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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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

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as in short

not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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as in quick

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

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fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

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fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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diet

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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

And if the dryer’s perks (faster drying time, high curl definition, customizable controls, and beyond) already intrigue you, that’s all the more reason to make this investment in yourself and your hair’s health. —

Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 3 Feb. 2025 Over the past decade, this industry has grown faster than the overall U.S. economy as Americans have flocked outside. —

Jessica Wahl Turner, Boston Herald, 3 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Horvath thanked Barger for working to secure the faster timeline from the EPA. —

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2025 There was a new mega signature shoe deal with Nike, various endorsements for fast food, drink and sports companies, plus appearances alongside Hollywood celebrities. —

Matias Grez, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025

Noun

Both organizations staged rallies, led marches and, this week, organized a three-day fast by tourism workers stationed outside City Hall. —

David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024 This could be especially true when breaking the fast. —

Matt Fuchs, TIME, 9 Dec. 2024

Verb

This typically can be attributed to not being truly fasted. —

Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Dec. 2024 During the summer and early fall, when the Hudson Bay ice melts, polar bears often remain on land, fasting and conserving energy until the sea ice refreezes in winter. —

Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fast

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast

Adverb

In fact, it’s been quite difficult to regulate Hillman’s educational movement on the app as a whole.

— Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Feb. 2025
Ben quite possibly may need a little more time and a little more quiet to repair and figure out his next phase and what that entails.

— Elizabeth Stanton, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025