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.
As cattle, lambs, hogs and goats weave through the show ring at The National Western Stock Show, longtime auctioneer John Korrey calls rapid-fire bids, his voice driving thousands of dollars in sales while keeping the crowd on edge. Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026 In a winning, rapid-fire opening monologue that landed some punch lines on the usual subjects — the age of Leonardo DiCaprio’s dates, Kevin Hart’s height — Glaser also dove right into some of her most topical material. Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026 Holding his phone in his right hand during Wednesday’s press conference after a 120-113 Warriors win over the Milwaukee Bucks, Green read off, rapid-fire, a number of recent texts from his mother, Mary Babers. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026 The January through March awards season during which the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammys and SAG Awards are held in rapid-fire succession is his most intensive work period. Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 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 Jan. 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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