hasty

\ ˈhā-stē

How to pronounce hasty (audio)

\

hastier; hastiest

Definition of hasty

1a : done or made in a hurry hasty city-street snapshots— R. B. Heilman

b : fast and typically superficial made a hasty examination of the wound

c archaic : rapid in action or movement : speedy

2 : acting too quickly : overly eager or impatient realized he had been hasty in quitting his job

3 : exhibiting a lack of careful thought or consideration : precipitate, rash We don't want to make any hasty decisions.

4 : prone to anger : irritable a hasty temperment

Other Words from hasty Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about hasty

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Choose the Right Synonym for hasty

fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves fast horses and rapid to the movement itself. rapid current swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. returned the ball with one swift stroke fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. fleet runners quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. a quick wit speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment speedy delivery of mail and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. a hasty inspection expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. the expeditious handling of an order

Examples of hasty in a Sentence

I made a hasty sketch of the scene. Seeing the dog, the cat made a hasty retreat up a tree. We don't want to make any hasty decisions. He later realized that he was too hasty in his decision to quit.

Recent Examples on the Web Trudging through paperwork can expose dubious details missed by hasty defence lawyers. — The Economist, "The sleuth of death row What does it take to become a death-row detective?," 18 Dec. 2019 The denial prompted the hasty removal of more than 60 residents from the properties early this month. — Arkansas Online, "Suit takes issue with state veto of licenses," 29 Dec. 2019 The ruling coalition was a hasty creation of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which then became its dominant force. — Yohannes Gedamu, Quartz Africa, "The new political party of Ethiopia’s Abiy holds much promise but faces significant hurdles," 13 Dec. 2019 But Gary Tang, an assistant professor of social science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions. — Time, "Hong Kong Legislature to Reopen as Police Say Bomb Detonated in Escalating Violence," 15 Oct. 2019 Republicans currently hold a slim 53 to 47 majority, and a few Republicans — such as Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Maine Senator Susan Collins — may balk at the notion of a hasty trial. — Nancy Cordes, CBS News, "Schumer sends letter to McConnell to set framework for Senate impeachment trial," 16 Dec. 2019 Members of the commission last month were asked to take a hasty vote on the new caps, though the topic was set to come up for discussion, not for action. — Dana Ferguson, Twin Cities, "State panel moves ahead with public hearing on proposed probation cap for nonviolent offenses," 12 Dec. 2019 The plan hasn’t evaded skeptics who think the project is too ambitious to meet such a hasty deadline, and residents nearby in the Library Commons neighborhood who don’t want the train station and parking garage directly behind their homes. — Brooke Baitinger, sun-sentinel.com, "Boca expected to OK new Brightline station today," 10 Dec. 2019 The hasty demolition was a violation of the city’s historic preservation ordinance. — Lisa Maria Garza, orlandosentinel.com, "Winter Park historic home owners face mounting fines for demolishing porches without permit," 6 Dec. 2019

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

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Last Updated

17 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hasty.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hasty. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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More Definitions for hasty

hasty

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of hasty

: done or made very quickly

: done or made too quickly

: acting too quickly

See the full definition for hasty in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hasty

\ ˈhā-stē

\

hastier; hastiest

Kids Definition of hasty

1 : done or made in a hurry a hasty trip

2 : made, done, or decided without proper care and thought a hasty decision

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