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

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 speedy But the Blue Jackets are hoping to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference long enough for reinforcements to join the lineup, including captain Boone Jenner, rugged defenseman Erik Gudbranson and speedy winger Yegor Chinakhov. —

Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 The outcome might depend on which star breaks through: Notre Dame’s speedy running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State’s freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. —

David Leonhardt, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 Michaelson said the speedier commutes are due, in part, to fewer drivers, but also because drivers are choosing a wider range of times to enter the city. —

Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025 This suggests spinners are playing it safe in times of uncertainties and leveraging their carryover textile products to ensure a better and speedier service to their clients. —

Martino Carrera, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for speedy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speedy

Adjective

Launching the food tours While in college, Saba witnessed Nashville's rapid growth.

— Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 10 Feb. 2025
After World War II, economic growth and GI benefits fueled another rapid building boom.

— Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025