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Definition of quicknext
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as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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quick

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adverb

quick

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noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

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 quick
Adjective
Meanwhile, poor Sol is blithely ignoring Jen’s warning that Sincere seemed to switch up on Melanie awfully quick and that Sincere and Melanie are very in sync. Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 16 June 2026 Franco's new followers were quick to flood into the comment section with their suspicions that there was more to the posts than the actor was letting on. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Adverb
In addition, falling asleep quicker is not the same as sleeping well. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 No bullet ever killed a deer quicker. Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026
Noun
The left-arm quick picked up the invaluable wicket of Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in history, who went out facing his first ball, and then Netravalkar got the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 12 June 2024 Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • Brown completed his swift and extraordinary rise to the top on Saturday, leading the New York Knicks to a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
    Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
  • The athletes then were swift and skilled, but generally unmuscled, Wilt excepted.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Adjective
  • The game is faster, the players are more explosive and soft-tissue injuries have become increasingly common.
    Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • The ambition is to enhance rather than disrupt the creative and address the growing demand for faster and more efficient pipelines.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Similar rapid advancements occurred with chemistry in the 19th century and physics in the 20th century, and the 21st century will go to biology and medicine.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Adjective
  • Dream person to dress, dead or alive?
    Max Berlinger, Vogue, 11 June 2026
  • To keep the good vibes alive, discuss the highlights of your trip and brainstorm ways to incorporate those elements into your everyday life.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sarnoski deromanticizes the legend with keen attention to historic and atmospheric detail, and a studious interest in how stories are told and retold through time.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 June 2026
  • After knocking England out of the 2018 World Cup, for example, Croatia’s players were keen to throw that line back in their face afterwards.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Suddenly, photos, videos, or important documents are just… gone.
    StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
  • Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • Chris Tanouye / Getty Images Head coach Karl Smesko said the key was how quickly his team adjusted after a shaky first quarter.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • After the road trip, Washington, then 73, stepped aside from his managerial duties indefinitely before undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery.
    Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • The findings, the latest in a growing body of research about the vaccine’s benefits for heart health, suggest such benefits observed in earlier studies have persisted for years.
    Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 16 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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