rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce rapid-fire (audio)
Synonyms of rapid-firenext
1
: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession
2
: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness
a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The track, which thrums with delightful menace, blends Knocked Loose’s heavy riffs with Curry’s rapid-fire bars, deliciously denouncing group-think. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026 The series retains its fondness for rapid-fire, near-impenetrable finance jargon and for ostentatious literary quotations—the product, we’re meant to assume, of the characters’ otherwise wasted Oxbridge educations. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 While promoting his new film Marty Supreme in London, Chalamet partook in a rapid-fire Q&A session hosted by director Richard Curtis. Hannah Malach, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026 The rapid-fire trade deadline version of this, however, is that, in a salary-dump trade, teams will waive the physical and reporting requirements and certify the trade is completed immediately after the trade call with the league. John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rapid-fire

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rapid-fire was in 1890

Cite this Entry

“Rapid-fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid-fire. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

rapid-fire

adjective
rap·​id-fire
ˌrap-əd-ˈfī(ə)r
1
: able to fire shots rapidly
a rapid-fire weapon
2
: marked by a rapid rate or pace
spoke rapid-fire Spanish
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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