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

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 speed

Noun

He’s been known to log on under a pseudonym and play speed chess while drunk. —

Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025 Your maximum internet speed is set by your ISP and will likely fluctuate depending on the time of day. —

Simon Hill, WIRED, 5 Jan. 2025

Verb

State and local leaders have ordered a streamlining of environmental reviews, permitting processes and other efforts to speed up the cleanup and other tasks to begin rebuilding. —

Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Film fans may remember the 1955 classic movie scene, when Kelly wildly steers her speeding Sunbeam roadster along the route as nervous passenger Grant tries to keep his cool. —

Gqlshare, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for speed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed

Noun

Vehicles of all types incur fuel economy losses because of wind resistance, which is considerably stronger at highway velocities.

— Peter Douglas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Throwing fewer four-seamers resulted in higher average four-seamer velocity, and the pitch played up even more.

— Tony Blengino, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025