quick 1 of 3

1
2
as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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quick

2 of 3

adverb

quick

3 of 3

noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

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 quick
Adjective
In a telephone call on Tuesday, the Russian leader slammed the brakes on Mr. Trump’s desire for a quick cease-fire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, agreeing only to stop attacks on energy infrastructure. Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025 While this area did receive rain on Thursday, the blustery winds yesterday resulted in quick drying of fine fuels, which will dry further today. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2025
Adverb
The Shift is a regular feature to catch up quick on what's happening in Arkansas' economy and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025 New technology such as genetic sequencing of environmental DNA and real-time imaging is making the identification of new marine species quicker and easier, but scientists still rely on collecting physical specimens for confirmation, which can be slow work, Taylor said. Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021 Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders. New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • Knowledge of actual prices will empower employers and unions to design affordable health plans with billing and payment integrity and will allow swift remedy and recourse for overcharges.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Leonie Brown, Lead Product Scientist at Qualtrics, advises using AI to reduce employee workload—think faster answers or better responses—while offering swift human escalation when needed.
    Blake Morgan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Archway Homes can pay cash and close in as fast as three days.
    Archway Homes, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Players can get off to a fast start by activating either offer.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These abundant growing vegetables (or fruit?) produce at such rapid speeds that planting them too close together is asking for problems, like stunted growth, plant disease, and a smaller harvest.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 30 Mar. 2025
  • According to a 2024 study published by Realtor.com, Texas accounted for 15 percent of new housing permits issued across the U.S., despite only making up 9 percent of its population, helping to keep prices and rents relatively cheap despite the rapid inflow of people.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • And, in public, many top executives are keen to praise Trump and show close relations with the White House.
    Justin Worland/Houston, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Torrens’s work inspired me to find out more about Lascelles, who revealed himself to be a man of wit and keen insight in ...
    George Weigel, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • So many firsts, gone, charred to ash, just remnants of an area that once represented Black prosperity and joy.
    Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • With tech in one hand and heart in the other, Riri is forced to navigate a new kind of battle—one that challenges her intellect, her upbringing, and her purpose.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Mar. 2025
  • But against a champion like Djokovic, heart and head were not enough.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • At the time, Nordstrom was the only retailer willing to partner with the brand.
    Virgie Tovar, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Step two is to attract at least 40,000 members willing to pay £5 a month.
    Matt Slater, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Later in the same game, Miami ran four verts with a clever outside receiver cross-field motion.
    Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The digital device is exhausted, the runtime stretches a tad too long, and a club scene that begins as an admirable feat (making clever use of the Music Box Theatre) begins to drag, before giving way to a crucial turning point in the story.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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