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 There may also be the ability to access early alerts as well as summative data to enable expeditious analysis and action. Big Think, 27 Jan. 2025 When fighting climate change, there are very few quick wins that will result in expeditious results—even fewer that offer that same urgency in a cost-effective fashion. Dee Lawrence, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 As to availability, Cybertruck deliveries appear to be more expeditious, especially compared to this spring when posted wait times were as far out as 2025. Brooke Crothers, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024 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
  • Shooting victim Sarah Milgrim remembered as 'a light' who fought antisemitism Israeli Embassy shooting: See the scene Real quick All American Rejects singer explains what's up with viral pop-up shows.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • The ship was to be the second major navy surface vessel revealed in quick succession by North Korea.
    Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • But after a swift recovery, Camille is struck by an inexplicable pain that gradually takes hold of him, threatening his dreams of greatness.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 10 May 2025
  • Having a solo focus on Daniel Richter’s new paintings has elicited a very positive response, reflected in collectors’ swift decisions to buy.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond the immediate injuries and damage to the historic sailing ship, the collision raises significant questions about maritime safety protocols in New York Harbor, particularly regarding tall ship clearance under the city's bridges.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
  • Israel's Defence Ministry had no immediate comment.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 18 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Expeditious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expeditious. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on expeditious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!