hasten

1 of 2

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

hastener

2 of 2

noun

has·​ten·​er -s(ᵊ)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that hastens

Synonyms of hasten

Verb

• accelerate
• rush
• push

Examples of hasten in a Sentence

Verb

His death was hastened by alcohol abuse.

hasten the activation of yeast with heat

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The inference was that Jamie had planted a disparaging story about his older brother to hasten his exit. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Her sons asserted in their lawsuit that the frequent trips back and forth to the hospital hastened their mother's demise. — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Euthanasia, which is not legal in the United States, occurs when someone other than the patient administers medication with the intent of hastening the patient’s death, the journal states. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

In my family, it was feared that both the murder and the verdict would hasten my mother’s passing. — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

see haste entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

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
• disseisin
• freemason
• stonemason
• subbasin
• unfasten
• washbasin

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