Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rapid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rapid are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When would expeditious be a good substitute for rapid?

Although the words expeditious and rapid have much in common, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of rapid?

The meanings of fleet and rapid largely overlap; however, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of rapid?

While in some cases nearly identical to rapid, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

Where would quick be a reasonable alternative to rapid?

The synonyms quick and rapid are sometimes interchangeable, but quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can speedy be used instead of rapid?

In some situations, the words speedy and rapid are roughly equivalent. However, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When might swift be a better fit than rapid?

The words swift and rapid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 rapid Since the incident, 8-year-old Star began experiencing pneumonia, digestion issues and rapid weight loss, Whitehead told the Associated Press on March 13. Angel Saunders, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 As their brains undergo a rapid period of growth and development, teens need 9-10 hours of sleep per night. Georgia Christakis, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 Nearby, his father Scott proudly watched his 39-year-old son culminate his rapid rise to the top of the sport. Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 By 540 million years ago, the Cambrian explosion was underway — a rapid diversification of life that saw the emergence of complex multicellular organisms, predatory behavior and the foundations of modern ecosystems. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rapid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapid
Adjective
  • Telegraphed data arrived in the morning, and FitzRoy made quick extrapolations from his knowledge of storm theories, sending forecasts an hour later.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Polite start, quick stall Even after Trump was elected on the promise of high tariffs, relations with Beijing got off to a polite start.
    Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Think: a brisk stair climb between Zoom calls, a few yoga stretches before breakfast, or a quick round of squats at the top of each hour.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While its cozy fabric will serve you well on brisk spring evenings, its lightweight design is easy to throw over your shoulders for added texture once temperatures rise.
    Averi Baudler, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • John Taylor, mayor of New Fairview, told the committee that Wise County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a 20% population increase since 2020.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • With their previous home sold and their third child on the way, Dallas designer Lisa Henderson and her husband, Luke, needed to find a new house—and fast.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, before things turned deadly, his wife jumped to his aid, saving his life with her swift actions, according to reports.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The fallout at the Ivy League school has been swift – and the consequences will be enormous, scientists have warned.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.
    Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • The artist was in Times Square last week to offer his latest corrective, unveiling a massive bronze statue of a young African American man in urban streetwear sitting astride a galloping horse.
    NBC News, NBC News, 7 Oct. 2019
Adjective
  • Isaacman’s confirmation hearing - set to be live-streamed and chaired by Senator Ted Cruz, a powerful booster of NASA’s space advances - could lead to speedy approval by the full Senate for his ascent to head the globe’s premier aerospace agency.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • While officials insisted all 200-plus deportees who were sent to El Salvador on March 15 were members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), the AEA allowed speedy removal without a court hearing.
    Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapid. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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