hasten

verb

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has·ten | \ ˈhā-sᵊn

hastened; hastening\ ˈhās-niŋ

, ˈhā-sᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of hasten

intransitive verb

: to move or act quickly She hastened up the stairs.

transitive verb

1 : to encourage to move or act quickly : to urge on hastened her to the door— A. J. Cronin

2 : to cause to happen more quickly : accelerate His death was hastened by alcoholism. hasten the coming of a new order— D. W. Brogan

Other Words from hasten Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing hasten Learn More About hasten

Examples of hasten in a Sentence

His death was hastened by alcohol abuse. hasten the activation of yeast with heat

Recent Examples on the Web This can result in feedback loops that can worsen fires and hasten climate change. — Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2022 To hasten sessions, members do not debate bills publicly in the chamber but in private while drafting them, according to Mr. Ariev. — New York Times, 25 Apr. 2022 But Eggers is in no mood to hasten the family reunions and revelations, or to blow his protagonist’s cover. — Justin Changfilm Critic, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2022 The same day, the White House announced a new sanctions package that includes a prohibition on new investment in Russia by any U.S. person — a measure which legal experts said could hasten the departure of many more firms lingering in the country. — Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 That marks a high not seen since early March, when bettors bid the price higher on the theory that the war would hasten the broader adoption of cryptocurrencies. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2022 The war in Ukraine is the latest accelerant that can hasten the trend towards crypto. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2022 Avalanche captain Landeskog will have knee surgery and is out indefinitely, which could hasten the team's search for a top-six forward. — Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2022 To overcome the temporary lack of nutrients, gardeners might try adding low-nitrogen organic material like wood chips to the soil in the autumn, or smaller amounts at a time in the spring, when warm weather will hasten break down. — oregonlive, 7 Feb. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hasten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.