SPEEDY Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'speedy' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious , fast , fleet , hasty , quick , rapid , and swift . While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity. // speedy delivery of mail

Q: When can 'expeditious' be used instead of 'speedy'?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. // the expeditious handling of an order

Q: How do 'fast' and 'rapid' relate to one another, in the sense of 'speedy'?

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

Q: When could 'fleet' be used to replace 'speedy'?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. // fleet runners

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hasty' instead of 'speedy'?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. // a hasty inspection

Q: When is 'quick' a more appropriate choice than 'speedy'?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy , quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. // a quick wit

Q: Where would 'rapid' be a reasonable alternative to 'speedy'?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves. // rapid current

Q: When might 'swift' be a better fit than 'speedy'?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. // returned the ball with one swift stroke

speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē

Definition of speedy next

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay I was surprised by and pleased with the company's speedy response to my complaints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For

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speedy recovery

quick recovery

expeditious recovery

swift recovery

timely recovery

complete recovery

a speedy return

an expedient return

a rapid return

a hasty return

a prompt return

a swift return

a speedy delivery

a fast delivery

a snappy delivery

a fast-track delivery

a rapid delivery

a timely delivery

a speedy implementation

a hurried implementation

a streamlined implementation

a vigorous implementation

a smooth implementation

an efficient implementation

a speedy conclusion

an accelerated conclusion

a hurried conclusion

a swift conclusion

an immediate conclusion

a sudden conclusion

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective speedy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When can expeditious be used instead of speedy?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How do fast and rapid relate to one another, in the sense of speedy?

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

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace speedy?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of speedy?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is quick a more appropriate choice than speedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to speedy?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When might swift be a better fit than speedy?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

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 speedy Beshear, alongside Sam Flynn, the executive director of the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis, have reiterated the program is aimed at providing speedy access to patients in need. —

Stephanie Stremplewski, The Courier-Journal, 1 Jan. 2025 Western Digital’s storage expansion cards for Xbox Series X / S consoles are speedy, plug-and-play cards that match the performance of the consoles’ onboard SSDs. —

Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 26 Dec. 2024 The speedy timeline gives the court an opportunity to rule before the original Jan. 19 deadline. —

Julia Shapero, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2024 The speedy deep-ball threat will look to make an impression in the Chiefs offense after an underwhelming campaign with the Arizona Cardinals in which Brown posted a career-low 41-yard average in 14 games. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for speedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speedy

Adjective

Property taxes have skyrocketed with the rapid uptick in home values and home insurance has significantly outpaced inflation as severe weather becomes more common and destructive, increasing rates across the board as insurers spread the risk throughout their pool of clients.

Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025
Nearly 100,000 people were forced to flee in what remains the largest, most rapid single-day evacuation in the history of modern fire.

CBS News, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025