HURRY Synonyms: 288 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hurry 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hurry next

as in hustle

excited and often showy or disorderly speed after all her hurry to get her report done on time, Elizabeth learned that it wasn't due till the following week

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in speed

a high rate of movement or performance a person who does everything in a hurry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in commotion

a state of noisy, confused activity in all the hurry of the modern world, people tend to forget what's really important

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hurry

2 of 2

verb

ˈhər-ē

as in to rush

to cause to move or proceed fast or faster the new nurses were hurried through the orientation program because they were so desperately needed on the ward

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to scurry

to proceed or move quickly if we hurry, we'll make the four o'clock train

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

Styles are up to 54 percent off today, but hurry, because select colors are selling fast. —

Kelsey Fredricks, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 Things get graphically violent in a hurry, and soon the narrative is split between Isaac trying to lead Sarah, Devin, and a mute girl named Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier) to safety, and escalating tensions between the Army, Young’s militia, and members of the Shoshone tribe. —

Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2025

Verb

In the opening scene of Robert Eggers‘ Nosferatu, Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) sobs in bed before hurrying to the window to look upon the shadow of the demon entrancing her, Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgard). —

Hilton Dresden, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Dec. 2024 The movie shows the 6888 women hurrying to turn it into an office. —

Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hurry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurry

Noun

In many ways, it could be seen as the pinnacle of the silent travel trend, since sleeping in a cave can help guests escape the hustle and bustle of ordinary life—whether that’s busyness and stress from work, school, or other people.

— Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025
Many have also abandoned the stresses of big cities for a simpler life away from the hustle.

— Reuters, NBC News, 15 Jan. 2025