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

Interestingly, this could hasten an employer push to automate the workplace with artificial intelligence (AI) whenever possible, as new workers become more scarce. — Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Warming the roof of the mouth—for example, by pressing the tongue against the palate or drinking a room-temperature beverage—can hasten recovery from brain freeze by allowing blood vessels and sensory nerves to return to their usual state. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026

LaVine appeared in only 39 games last season before undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right pinky finger, a move seemingly hastened by the Kings again being eliminated early from playoff contention. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Spain will hasten the repatriation of irregular migrants following the Ceuta incursion, while maintaining anti-trafficking cooperation with Morocco. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 Aug. 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