Definition of swift
1 : moving or capable of moving with great speed a swift runner
2 : occurring suddenly or within a very short time a swift transition
3 : quick to respond : ready
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Examples of swift in a Sentence
a swift and accurate response
the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta
Recent Examples of swift from the Web
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But President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent predictions of a swift victory were far from the mark.
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Bang: Wall Street's judgment was swift -- and brutal.
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There wouldn’t have been a swift bite followed by a quiet kill.
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When Ivanka Trump sat in for her father briefly at the G20 Summit this weekend, the outcry was swift and forceful.
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But this year’s wet winter created a record Sierra Nevada snowpack, and the melt has engorged the river with swift, frigid water.
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Tribe members say the swift decline of the Klamath has only exacerbated those social problems.
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Panepinto attributed the river's swift current to recent rains.
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As Frances Frei put it, ‘Uber now has strong and swift processes embedded in it.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swift.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of swift
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English swīfan to revolve — more at swivel
Synonym Discussion of swift
Examples of swift in a Sentence
tried to cross the swift-flowing river
First Known Use of swift
14th century
swift
Definition of swift
1 : any of several lizards (especially of the genus Sceloporus) that run swiftly
2 : a reel for winding yarn or thread
3 : any of numerous small plainly colored birds (family Apodidae) that are related to the hummingbirds but superficially much resemble swallows
Recent Examples of swift from the Web
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The Crow Pass Crossing, which takes runners up a mountain, over a pass and down into a valley and includes a ford of swift and bracing Eagle River, has never suffered a fatality.
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Hummingbirds are great fliers, but their closest relatives—the swifts—are even better, and while hummingbird eggs are symmetrical, swift eggs are pointed, more like pine nuts than Tic Tacs.
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Recruiting Ms. Martello is the sort of swift, behind-the-scenes power play that has propelled Ms. Huffington to become Uber’s most influential independent board member.
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Amazon on Friday announced its acquisition of Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, and social media had a swift — and at times hilarious — reaction to the high-profile deal.
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Swift allowed Apple to stream it after the music platform decided to pay artists royalties during its free three-month trial.
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Anglers throughout Southeast Louisiana are reporting numerous encounters with trees and other driftwood in the swift-moving water. ************** Todd Masson can be reached at tmasson@nola.com or 504.232.3054.
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Recently, the record label Swift releases music though, Nashville imprint Big Machine, launched its own streaming service, Big Machine TV, using technology from a Florence software company called PublicVine.
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Swift's attorney Locke Bowman also declined comment.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'swift.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of swift
15th century
Swift
playDefinition of Swift
Gustavus Franklin 1839–1903 American meatpacker
Swift
Definition of Swift
Jonathan 1667–1745 English (Irish-born) satirist
SWIFT Defined for English Language Learners
swift
playDefinition of swift for English Language Learners
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: happening or done quickly or immediately
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: moving or able to move very fast
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: smart or intelligent
swift
Definition of swift for English Language Learners
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: a small bird that has long, narrow wings
SWIFT Defined for Kids
Definition of swift for Students
swifter
;swiftest
1 : moving or capable of moving with great speed a swift river a swift runner
2 : occurring suddenly a swift kick a swift descent
swiftly
adverbswiftness
nounDefinition of swift for Students
: in a swift manner I crossed a swift-flowing river.
Definition of swift for Students
: a small usually black bird that is related to the hummingbirds but looks like a swallow
Learn More about swift
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See words that rhyme with swift Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for swift Spanish Central: Translation of swift Nglish: Translation of swift for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of swift for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swift
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