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speed

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verb

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
Germany will also hope 2022’s Young Player of the Tournament Lena Oberdorf returns to full speed after missing the latter half of 2024 with a cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury (ACL and MCL). Julia Ranney, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Moreover, working the long head emphasizes the eccentric portion of a move—the part when the muscle is lengthening under load—which is a more effective way to improve strength, power, and speed performance compared to traditional resistance training, according to research. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
His work had improved the use of electronic health records and sped up access to care for patients with heart disease. E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025 Any suggestions on how to speed up the move without causing tension in the family? Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed
Noun
  • At low heights, though, the water’s velocity was too slow to effectively move through the coffee bed.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The quality of the resulting cup of coffee is dependent on such variables as the amount of coffee used, the jet radius, the pour height, and the flow velocity, all of which have an impact on how the water jet interacts with the bed of coffee grounds.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Long a favorite of the Twins’ player development group, Keirsey, who turns 28 in May, made his first Opening Day roster.
    Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
  • But this is a puncher’s chance; Denver won’t enter the playoffs as an overwhelming favorite.
    Tony Jones, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In the years since, the vehicles raced on tracks across the world have evolved.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Ambulances, firetrucks and patrol vehicles from multiple law enforcement agencies raced toward the campus that sits just west of Florida’s state capital after the university issued an active shooter alert midday Thursday, saying police were responding near the student union.
    Kate Payne and David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The deadline passed and the new U.S. tariff rate for Chinese imports came into effect.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The growth trajectory represents a 2.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025, with online video claiming the lion’s share at $9.4 billion.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The deals are on now and are good until April 14, so hurry and upgrade your Microsoft Office system today.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article Mayor Adams on Monday urged the judge presiding over his public corruption case to hurry up and decide on outstanding dismissal motions before upcoming deadlines in the mayoral race.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Some of the videos have showcased stuff that people are doing to bring themselves comfort and joy like traveling, dancing, running or shopping, the last of which should make many businesses smile.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The woman was a regular part of the team’s traveling party and was at a post-game gathering with players and staff members.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The mayhem unfolded after the teen was walking back into the lobby area when Sampson rushed over to the girl and grabbed her arm, the affidavit reads.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration's massive tariffs on China have Apple flying planes full of iPhones to the U.S. and consumers rushing to buy them before the prices potentially skyrocket.
    Angrej Singh, Axios, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Philanthropy can address market failures and lay the groundwork for scalable solutions, while investments follow to drive growth.
    Matt Damon, TIME, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Steam generator repairs In nuclear plants such as Palisades, water heated by the reactor passes through tubes in the generators, causing water outside the tubes to boil into steam that drives the turbines to produce electricity for the grid.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Speed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speed. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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