Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective expeditious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expeditious are fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related as synonyms of expeditious?

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

fast horses

When is fleet a more appropriate choice than expeditious?

In some situations, the words fleet and expeditious are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of expeditious?

While the synonyms hasty and expeditious are close in meaning, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is it sensible to use quick instead of expeditious?

The synonyms quick and expeditious are sometimes interchangeable, but quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of expeditious?

The words rapid and expeditious can be used in similar contexts, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

Where would speedy be a reasonable alternative to expeditious?

While in some cases nearly identical to expeditious, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When might swift be a better fit than expeditious?

Although the words swift and expeditious have much in common, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of expeditious Today, the logic of construction begins with the clean slate, and the most expeditious way to convert vacant places of worship into living spaces is to clear away the old and start from scratch. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 27 June 2025 Since 1997, the settlement, known as the Flores Agreement, has required federal U.S. immigration officials to hold migrant children in facilities that are safe and sanitary; provide them access to lawyers; and seek their expeditious release from government custody. May 22, CBS News, 22 May 2025 But Smoke and Stack respond with expeditious intensity. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025 Through intelligent automation, development can be completed at a far more expeditious rate, reliability can be increased, and human error can be minimized. William Jones, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expeditious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expeditious
Adjective
  • Bitcoin is up about 25% this year, rising as more Wall Street institutions embrace the cryptocurrency and global investors begin to view it as a reputable portfolio allocation and not just a quick trading vehicle.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Its silicone design sits comfortably on the face, while quick preset modes make treatments simple to fit into daily life.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • About his last Kentucky Derby appearance and his 'swift' horseLooking for a free mini puzzle?
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Berhalter set Chicago up to sit deep and then hit on the counter and the approach worked superbly in the first half with Miami enjoying plenty of the ball outside the Fire box but then ripped apart far too easily by swift breaks.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • What Kentucky House Bill 90 does Freestanding birthing centers, which have soared in popularity around the country in recent years, are separate from hospitals, providing a midwifery model of care with a focus on labor, delivery and the immediate postpartum period.
    Killian Baarlaer, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Tribal nations report no immediate significant effects on services like healthcare and education.
    Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expeditious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expeditious. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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