fast 1 of 4

1
2

fast

2 of 4

adjective

1
2
3
4
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

fast

4 of 4

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

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

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
Meanwhile, Muslims have long eaten its fruits to break the daily fast of Ramadan. Jacob Jones, JSTOR Daily, 13 Aug. 2025 What To Know Archaeologist Mordechai Ehrlich found the clay seal while examining material recovered by the Temple Mount Sifting Project, and project researchers rapidly analyzed and publicly announced the artifact shortly before the Jewish fast of Tisha B'Av. Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Some take detours, swirling sideways beneath the surface, subtly shaping how far and fast a landslide travels. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025 Producers cut away immediately, but not fast enough. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
Under the deal, Intel will design processors that communicate faster with NVIDIA GPUs using proprietary NVLink technology. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2025 This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Verb
That said, younger workers are finding jobs in health care and retail at a relatively fast pace, according to the latest BLS employment situation report. Carlos Waters, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025 After the pandemic, non-employers saw some of their fastest growth rates in nearly two decades, although growth slowed slightly in 2023. Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • These data centers will require plenty of energy, and, to that end, an agreement will be signed between the two governments enabling companies to build new nuclear power stations in both countries more quickly.
    Ian King, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
  • And thanks to people like Vanessa Williams, and Silvio Horta, the creator, I was put front and center on that show kind of quickly.
    H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The real story of 1066 is quite interesting on its own terms, but King and Conqueror insists on adding a heavy dose of interpersonal drama.
    Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2025
  • There is nothing quite like the thrill of spotting a dorsal fin slicing through open water or watching a pod leap through the surf beside your boat.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Potential applications include areas where both high energy storage and rapid power delivery are essential, such as electric vehicles, drones, and high-demand electronics.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Or write a support email with the perfect mix of humor and sincerity to turn a fuming customer into a loyal advocate?
    Rupesh Dabbir, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Critics have also accused Patel of politicizing the FBI, firing senior officials seen as insufficiently loyal to Trump, and prioritizing public image over investigative integrity.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Credit spreads are at their tightest in about 20 years, meaning there is little difference in yields between corporate bonds compared to government bonds.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The project, created under tight deadlines and with hobby-grade parts, is now on track for wider military use.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, a group of states led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton separately sued Google for anticompetitive and deceptive practices in its ad business.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Katie’s denial was once again found to be deceptive.
    Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Fall sowing encourages sturdy plants and earlier blooms, which can be quite beneficial in hot Southern climes.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
  • The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The conglomerate, which often aligns itself with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development goals and controls vast swathes of India’s infrastructure sector, is yet to fully recover from the market value erosion caused by the short seller’s accusations.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
  • In short, this is a definitive shmup and comes highly recommended.
    Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on fast

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!