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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hurry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hurry are dispatch, expedition, haste, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

How do expedition and dispatch relate to one another, in the sense of hurry?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition
paid bills with dispatch

When can haste be used instead of hurry?

The words haste and hurry can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

Where would speed be a reasonable alternative to hurry?

Although the words speed and hurry have much in common, speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

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 hurry
Noun
With inventory and months of supply up, prospective buyers have more options to choose from and are in less of a hurry. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 But the Sox aren’t in a hurry to rush either one, as the Pittsburgh Pirates did with ace Paul Skenes, who threw 34 total innings in 12 minor-league starts. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
Marthe hurried down, and these two stern-looking men tell her and the conference organizers that they were court-mandated to record Marthe's speech. Lorena Galliot, Scientific American, 12 Feb. 2025 So putting him in passing situations and hurrying his decision-making process could provide the Chiefs an edge. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurry
Noun
  • These are some signs that you’re trapped in a cycle of too much hustle and stress.
    Maggie McGrath, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • From a clever fox to a roaring deer, the images honored in this year’s British Wildlife Photography Awards contest capture the beauty in the natural world—even amid the hustle and bustle of city streets.
    Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Only one American has won three golds at one Winter Olympics — fellow Wisconsin speed skater Eric Heiden.
    Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • And hurricane-force gusts can roar across the base at speeds of up to 125 mph.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Spears' teen pregnancy immediately caused commotion among her family and her team.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • On a match day, the keenest supporters would gravitate to the main entrance halfway along, just after the dressing room windows where Ian Wright occasionally peered out and caused a commotion.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But the Indiana transfer played in just two games, picking up 13 rushing yards and 3 catches for 39 yards before the injury.
    Bob Ferrante, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Let Go of the Finish Line Intensity doesn’t mean rushing to orgasm.
    Dominique Fluker, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The sound of gunfire at the end of the game sent people scurrying for safety.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The idea for Ads for Rats began in the summer of 2024, when a few of the group's members were visiting New York City and saw a rat scurry into the hole of a tree.
    Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Ministers and representatives from Western partners, Syria's regional neighbors, other Arab countries and U.N. agencies attended the one-day meeting in Brussels, organized in haste by the European Union amid change sweeping the country.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The event was organized in haste by the EU to try to take advantage of the change sweeping the country.
    Lorne Cook and Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Throughout the past decade, pitchers have turned their focus to training techniques that increase their average velocity and the over-all movement of the ball—even at the expense of throwing strikes.
    Lindsey Adler, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The new one also has more velocity, moving in the high 70s, about 10 mph faster than his old one.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The news, which surfaced late last week when letters to these vendors from Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts were shared with the media, caused an immediate stir and prompted some aldermen to publicly advise contractors not to comply with the request.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Fans of this show based on a treatment by the legendary Bruce Lee caused enough of a stir that it was eventually renewed for Max exclusively, airing a third season on the streaming service.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurry. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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