haste

¹haste

noun \ˈhāst\

Definition of HASTE

1

: rapidity of motion : swiftness

2

: rash or headlong action : precipitateness <the beauty of speed uncontaminated by haste — Harper's>

3

: undue eagerness to act

Examples of HASTE

1. The application had been approved with undue haste.
2. <made haste to get there on time>

Origin of HASTE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English hǣst violence

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to HASTE

Synonyms

celerity, fastness, fleetness, speed, hurry, quickness, rapidity, rapidness, speediness, swiftness, velocity

Antonyms

slowness, sluggishness

Related Words

clip, gait, pace, rate, tempo; drive, hustle; acceleration, hastiness, precipitation, precipitousness, rush; alacrity, dispatch, expedition, expeditiousness, promptitude, promptness; warp speed

Near Antonyms

languidness, languor, leisureliness, lethargy, torpidity, torpor; reluctance; deliberateness, deliberation; dilatoriness, lateness, pokiness, procrastination

Synonym Discussion of HASTE

haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action. haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness <marry in haste>. hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion <in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush>. speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action <exercises to increase your reading 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>.

Rhymes with HASTE

based, baste, chaste, laced, paste, taste, waist, waste

²haste

verb

hast·edhast·ing

Definition of HASTE

transitive verb

archaic

: to urge on : hasten

intransitive verb

: to move or act swiftly

First Known Use of HASTE

14th century