Synonym Chooser

How does the noun expedition contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expedition are dispatch, haste, hurry, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition
paid bills with dispatch

When might haste be a better fit than expedition?

While the synonyms haste and expedition are close in meaning, haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

When can hurry be used instead of expedition?

Although the words hurry and expedition have much in common, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

When could speed be used to replace expedition?

In some situations, the words speed and expedition are roughly equivalent. However, speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

Examples of expedition in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ship was part of a 19th century Arctic expedition through treacherous parts of the Northwest Passage that resulted in the death of expedition leader Sir John Franklin and 23 other men. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 12 Oct. 2024 Five weeks into the expedition, a violent weather system the size of Australia came roaring from the west. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2024 The film is described as an expedition into the summer of 1977 in the Virginia Beach neighborhood inspired by the Atlantis Apartments of Williams’ childhood. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 8 Oct. 2024 Endurance alternates between Shackleton’s expedition and the hunt for his wrecked ship in 2022. Sean Kingsley, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for expedition 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expedition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near expedition

Cite this Entry

“Expedition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expedition. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on expedition

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