rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r 

1

: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession

2

: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness

a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Synonyms of rapid-fire

• rapid
• brisk
• quick
• fast
• galloping

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning

Recent Examples on the Web

The late-night host and comedian answered a series of rapid-fire questions during the July 7 episode of Hey Jonas, with Jonas Brothers Nick, Joe, and Kevin, and one of them was telling about Meyers' mindset in crisis mode. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

At issue is whether these modern rapid-fire rifles fit within the history of the gun rights protected by the 2nd Amendment or instead represent a new and dangerous threat to public safety that was unknown in 1791. — Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

In the hours that followed, a cart fixed with a rapid-fire machine gun advanced through town with impunity, like a primitive tank, firing at will on the largely un-armed Black residents. — Lee Cowan, CBS News, 12 July 2026

SpaceX has used the Falcon 9’s rapid-fire launch cadence to deploy more than 12,000 satellites for its commercial Starlink Internet network. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rapid-fire

• mcintire
• admire
• afire
• aspire
• backfire
• esquire
• expire
• haywire
• hellfire
• inquire
• inspire
• newswire

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