hasten

verb

has·​ten ˈhā-sᵊn 

hastened; hastening ˈhā-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈhās-niŋ

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

hastener

ˈhā-sᵊn-ər 

ˈhās-nər

noun

Synonyms of hasten

• accelerate
• rush
• push

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

Some nihilistic violent extremists carry out violence with the goal of hastening the collapse of society — a philosophy known as accelerationism. —Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

To hasten ripening, place persimmons in a paper bag with ethylene-producing fruit like a banana or apple. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026

They were outplayed by the Panthers (8-10) for the most part from there, and mixed in some bad football to hasten their potential demise. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

To hasten decomposition, be diligent in following sound composting practices. —David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see haste entry 1

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing hasten

• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)

Rhymes for hasten

• basin
• caisson
• chasten
• jason
• capsaicin
• freemason
• stonemason
• subbasin
• washbasin
• indomethacin

Kids Definition

hasten

verb

has·​ten ˈhā-sᵊn 

hastened; hastening ˈhās-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to urge on

2

: to speed up : accelerate

hastened my steps

3

: to move or act quickly : hurry

hastener

ˈhās-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun