SPEED Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'speed' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch , expedition , haste , and hurry . While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action. // exercises to increase your reading speed

Q: How are the words 'expedition' and 'dispatch' related as synonyms of 'speed'?

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: Where would 'haste' be a reasonable alternative to 'speed'?

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

Q: When might 'hurry' be a better fit than 'speed'?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion. // in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

speed 1 of 2

noun

ˈspēd

Definition of speed next

as in velocity

a high rate of movement or performance we dashed off the remaining paperwork with as much speed as possible so we could leave for the long weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others that kind of old-fashioned horror movie is just my speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

speed

2 of 2

verb

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly a bullet train speeding across the lush countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

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

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

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

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

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 speed

Noun

London’s top law firms hired partners at record speed this year, driven by American law firms’ appetite to compete for talent in the British capital. —

Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024 The improved adaptive cruise control is excellent at slow speeds and in stop-and-go traffic. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

In Nevada, another state where the presidential race wasn't projected until the Saturday after Election Day in 2020, some changes were made to help speed up vote counting -- including allowing mail or absentee ballots to start being counted 15 days before Election Day. —

Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 In May, Nevada's secretary of state released guidance aimed at speeding up the release of election results. —

Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for speed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed

Noun

But there are some concerns with Fitzgerald under the hood, namely in his strikeout rate (31.7%) and below-average exit velocity (22nd percentile).

Justice delos Santos, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
His exit velocities aren’t all that overpowering - Freeman is more of a technician with a strong K/BB profile, low pop up and high fly ball and line drive rates, who uses the entire field.

Tony Blengino, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024