QUICK Synonyms: 407 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

quick 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkwik

Definition of quick next

as in swift

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation she's a quick wit, always ready with a pun or joke when the moment calls for one

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fast

having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

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as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a quick run through the car wash, and your vehicle will look as good as new

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as in breathing

having or showing life after the battle, there was a hurried accounting of the quick and the dead

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as in keen

able to sense slight impressions or differences parlayed her quick eye for beauty into ownership of a top modeling agency

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as in gone

archaic containing unborn young within the body a woman quick with child

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quick

2 of 3

adverb

as in quickly

with great speed watch out, as the cars pass by here pretty quick

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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

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 quick

Adjective

Advertisement Fortunately, medical personnel, taking a quick look at him, intervened and the trip home was delayed. —

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024 Short books to read to meet your reading goal Need a short book to cap off your 2024 reading or a quick, immersive read to get you out of a reading slump? —

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Did the brutal hit Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a couple of weeks ago make referees quicker on the whistle? —

Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 19 Dec. 2024 Catch up quick: The $25 billion deal would have combined the country's second and fourth largest grocers by market share, with Kroger trailing only Walmart and Albertsons sitting behind Costco. —

Richard Collings, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

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 Jones took the snap and fired a quick out to Henry for 6 yards and the first down. —

BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2021 See all Example Sentences for quick

Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick

Adjective

Thank you to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for your actions and swift apprehension of the suspect.

Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
In 2020, for example, UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked Trump for his engagement with UN initiatives and wished him a swift recovery from COVID-19, even as the president had sought to rein in U.S. financial contributions to the UN.

Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 24 Dec. 2024