Synonyms of speedy

speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē 

1

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed

a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rapid
• quick
• fast
• brisk
• swift
• galloping
• hasty
• whirlwind
• lightning
• rapid-fire
• zippy
• rattling
• blistering
• hot
• fleet
• hurried
• splitting
• breathless
• flying
• snappy
• expeditious
• breakneck
• nippy
• fleet-footed
• accelerated
• at speed
• dizzy
• prompt
• rushed
• vigorous
• ready
• strong
• high-speed
• breathtaking
• energetic
• quickened
• rush
• strenuous
• hastened
• ultrafast
• ultrarapid

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slow
• sluggish
• unhurried
• dragging
• languid
• crawling
• deliberate
• plodding
• leisurely
• lingering
• laggard
• poky
• tardy
• slowish
• dallying
• dilatory
• late
• measured
• dillydallying
• dawdling
• poking
• ultraslow

2

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay

I was surprised by and pleased with the company's speedy response to my complaints

Synonyms & Similar Words

• immediate
• swift
• timely
• quick
• prompt
• punctual
• early
• ready
• apt
• willing
• opportune
• seasonable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• belated
• late
• tardy
• delinquent
• overdue
• delayed
• slow
• behind
• dilatory
• latish
• detained
• laggard
• behindhand

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective speedy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When can expeditious be used instead of speedy?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How do fast and rapid relate to one another, in the sense of speedy?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace speedy?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of speedy?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is quick a more appropriate choice than speedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to speedy?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When might swift be a better fit than speedy?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of speedy

Under Florida law, victims and their families have the right to a speedy trial free from unreasonable delays. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

In 1969, the speedy Pitts was second among Kansas City’s wide receivers with 31 receptions. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026

The speedy little Mercedes slipped beneath the truck, nudging it lightly in the belly, and contracted, crushing within itself two male bodies slack with drink and sleep. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

With this change, a speedier administrative modification would be used for smaller changes, a process that takes about a month, Bradsky said. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026