rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r 

1

: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession

2

: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness

a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Synonyms of rapid-fire

• rapid
• brisk
• quick
• fast
• galloping

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning

Recent Examples on the Web

These scenarios' rapid-fire strangeness recalls WarioWare. —Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 June 2026

The perpetual buzz of mining bees mingled with the shuffle of rabbits through the bushes, woodpeckers’ rapid-fire drilling, and the hard-staccato tchack, tchack, tchack of ravenlike birds known as jackdaws, creating a subtle symphony. —Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Daily bus tours depart from the docks for a rapid-fire overview of Finnish history and a quick look at the top monuments and churches. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026

Let’s close with some fun rapid-fire questions. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rapid-fire

• mcintire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire

Kids Definition

rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire

ˌrap-əd-ˈfī(ə)r

1

: able to fire shots rapidly

a rapid-fire weapon

2

: marked by a rapid rate or pace

spoke rapid-fire Spanish