Synonyms of expeditious

expeditious

adjective

ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shəs 

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

a company that is well-regarded for its expeditious handling of any request or complaint

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quick
• swift
• immediate
• willing
• responsive
• prompt
• rapid
• ready
• brisk
• alacritous
• alert
• fast
• instantaneous
• clever
• speedy
• receptive
• keen
• instant
• eager
• summary
• smart
• sharp
• lightning
• fleet
• rattling
• breathless
• apt
• whirlwind
• snappy
• rapid-fire
• breakneck
• fleet-footed
• hit-and-run
• quick-witted
• sharp-witted
• ready-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unresponsive
• slow
• unhurried
• dilatory
• leisurely
• tardy
• lazy
• sluggish
• dragging
• crawling
• creeping
• lagging
• slothful
• laggard
• poky
• dallying
• idle
• inert
• slowish
• inactive
• dawdling
• dillydallying
• dormant
• poking
• lazyish
• logy

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

Recent Examples of expeditious

Innocent passage refers to the right to transit through the territorial sea of another state in a continuous and expeditious manner that must not be prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of that state, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025

The nominee will face an intense confirmation process, which lawmakers told CNN will not be expeditious in the wake of Trump’s actions and rhetoric. —Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025

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

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