hastened; hastening
ˈhā-sᵊn-iŋ 
ˈhās-niŋ
: to move or act quickly
She hastened up the stairs.
1
: to encourage to move or act quickly : to urge on
hastened her to the door—
A. J. Cronin
A. J. Cronin2
: to cause to happen more quickly : accelerate
His death was hastened by alcoholism.
hasten the coming of a new order—D. W. Brogan
D. W. BroganExamples 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 creates more atmospheric drag—or air friction—on low-orbiting objects, which slows them down and hastens their fall.
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Excess weight heightens the pressure on the joint, and that increase in stress can possibly hasten the breakdown of cartilage.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2025
If patients ask about California’s End of Life Option Act, Providence gives them publicly available information about the law — while also informing them that its doctors will not write the prescriptions and its caregivers cannot be present at or assist in hastening death, Aidem said.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2025
Exposure to high pollution can disrupt children's learning and hasten the onset of brain problems like dementia.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hasten
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.
Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Excess weight heightens the pressure on the joint, and that increase in stress can possibly hasten the breakdown of cartilage.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 29 Apr. 2025
If patients ask about California’s End of Life Option Act, Providence gives them publicly available information about the law — while also informing them that its doctors will not write the prescriptions and its caregivers cannot be present at or assist in hastening death, Aidem said.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2025
Exposure to high pollution can disrupt children's learning and hasten the onset of brain problems like dementia.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hasten
Cite this Entry
“Hasten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hasten. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share