Definition of RAPIDLY

Choose the Right Synonym for rapid

Adjective

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 rapid in a Sentence

Adjective There's been rapid growth in the number of new businesses in the town. Scientists are concerned about the rapid disappearance of the island's coral reefs. She carefully guided the boat through the rapid water.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Experts say several changes must be made to combat the rapid rise of conspiracy theories. — Fortune, "The biggest conspiracy theories of 2020 (and why they won’t die)," 31 Dec. 2020 Its rapid rise has been remarkable -- or insane, depending on your appetite for risk. — David Goldman, CNN, "What the #)$*#@)($ is happening with Bitcoin's insane record run?," 27 Dec. 2020 The rapid rise of cases in Southern England, despite all the measures undertaken to control spread, is alarming. — Tribune News Service, oregonlive, "Does a mutant strain of coronavirus pose a much deeper level of danger? Q&A with scientists," 25 Dec. 2020 The rapid rise of cases in Southern England, despite all the measures undertaken to control spread, is alarming. — Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Scientists scramble to determine if mutant strain of coronavirus will deepen pandemic," 24 Dec. 2020 The incident underscores how the U.K. is grappling with a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases while keeping its critically important film industry afloat. — Anousha Sakoui, Los Angeles Times, "Tom Cruise rant over COVID-19 safety is latest challenge to U.K.'s filming restart," 24 Dec. 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the tightening on Saturday, in a bid to stamp out a fast-spreading mutation of the coronavirus that’s behind a rapid rise in cases in London. — Siddharth Vikram Philip, Bloomberg.com, "Airlines Balk at Refunds as U.K. Tells Travelers Not to Fly," 19 Dec. 2020 That plan was in response to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health’s stay-at-home advisory issued Nov. 18, due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the county. — Ed Wittenberg, cleveland, "Orange Schools to resume hybrid model Jan. 11, instead of Jan. 19," 18 Dec. 2020 Party officials, for their part, see an opportunity to rein in the excessive risk-taking, debt and graft that accompanied the rapid rise of private businesses. — Lingling Wei, WSJ, "China’s Xi Ramps Up Control of Private Sector. ‘We Have No Choice but to Follow the Party.’," 10 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Participating plans do not have to cover all insulin products, just one of each dosage form (vial, pen) and insulin type (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting). — Dallas News, "If you’re on Medicare, now is the time to shop," 20 Nov. 2020 Interspersed with shallow rapids are canyons deep enough that the team had to use measuring equipment designed for the deep ocean to study them. — Asher Elbein, New York Times, "Earth’s Deepest River Conceals an Evolutionary Mystery," 25 Feb. 2020 There are plenty of challenges along the way: an encounter with thundering rapids, a tugboat suddenly bearing down on the woman in her small craft, the squall that tips her canoe and loses her tent. — Washington Post, "Three new books for young readers explore challenge — and possibility," 14 Jan. 2020 Arkansas — Buffalo National River America’s first national river travels 135 miles through the Ozark Mountains, chugging over rapids, forming peaceful pools and passing rocky bluffs topped by emerald forest. — Sarah Feldberg, Travel + Leisure, "The Best Place to Camp in Each of the 50 States," 24 Feb. 2017 On this date in 1952, firefighters, police and private citizens staged a massive rescue effort to save three boys from the rapids of the Los Angeles River. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Making the case against Trump," 23 Jan. 2020 Here are some spots worth visiting: Outdoor fun Watersports enthusiasts don't need to leave downtown to hone their skills on the rapids. — Erin E. Williams, Dallas News, "Stunning vistas, modern museums and great food make Reno a solid bet," 2 July 2019 These sections are more wild and less developed, but there are also rapids to contend with in spots. — Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "12 places to camp along water in Wisconsin," 12 Apr. 2018 Whether it’s jet-boating in Machu Picchu with Red Savannah, rock-climbing in Colorado River’s write water rapids, or racing across Norway’s glaciers on snowmobiles, these destinations are sure to fuel an Arian’s venturous spirit. — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, "Where To Travel In 2020 Based On Your Zodiac Sign," 11 Jan. 2020

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