hasten

has·ten

verb \ˈhā-s^ən\

: to cause (something) to happen more quickly

: to move or act quickly

has·tenedhas·ten·ing \ˈhās-niŋ, ˈhā-s^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of HASTEN

intransitive verb

:  to move or act quickly

transitive verb

1

:  to urge on <hastened her to the door — A. J. Cronin>

2

:  accelerate <hasten the coming of a new order — D. W. Brogan>

— has·ten·er \ˈhās-nər, ˈhā-s^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of HASTEN

1. His death was hastened by alcohol abuse.
2. <hasten the activation of yeast with heat>

First Known Use of HASTEN

1568

Related to HASTEN

Synonyms

accelerate, bundle, fast-track, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), whisk

Antonyms

brake, decelerate, retard, slow (down)

Related Words

drive, goad, prod, propel, push, race, spur, stir, urge; aid, dispatch, ease, encourage, expedite, facilitate

Near Antonyms

delay, encumber, fetter, hamper, hinder, hobble, hold back, hold up, impede, interfere (with), manacle, rein (in), restrain, shackle, tie up, trammel; arrest, check, stall, stay, still, stop

Rhymes with HASTEN

basin, chasten, Jason, mason