fast 1 of 4

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fast

2 of 4

adjective

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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

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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

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verb

as in to diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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a fast response
a quick response
a timely response
a speedy response
a rapid response
a same-day response
a fast pace
an accelerated pace
a swift pace
a rapid pace
a quick pace
a frantic pace
a fast track
a focused track
an expeditious track
a quick track
a rapid track
an advanced track
a fast service
a quick-response service
an efficient service
a prompt service
an instant service
a timely service
a fast growth
a rapid growth
a drastic growth
a swift growth
a sharp growth
a strong growth

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
As the world heats up, Europe is warming up twice as fast as the global average, according to Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization. Ryan Kellman, NPR, 15 June 2025 Strangely, the scale’s heart rate measurement is regularly skewed about 10 beats per minute too fast. Christopher Null, Wired News, 4 June 2025
Adjective
On Friday, Verstappen was the fastest driver in FP1. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025 Taco Bell joins 2025 chicken wrap battle The addition of the Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos to Taco Bell's menu comes as various chains compete in what appears to be a fast food chicken wrap battle. Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Noun
During the fast, Target’s stock prices have sunk, seeing its biggest drop in four years at $88.73 per share in the beginning of April, from $266.38 a share in November 2021. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025 With summer fast approaching, These Guys Brewing have more lined up. Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
President Trump Friday angrily vowed to impose stiff new tariffs on European imports and Apple iPhones to punish them for not making concessions fast enough in his trade war. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025 His conditioning is such that even fasting during Ramadan is not an impediment to him starting consistently for Liverpool. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • The prospect of trying to cut open a stubborn 5-4-1 block in the Orlando heat could have become torturous quite quickly.
    Liam Tharme, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • The craft beer landscape was quite different when the Maltose Falcons formed their homebrewing club in California 51 years ago.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification -- when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours -- which is about twice the average and causes forecasting problems, according to the hurricane center.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • New Mexico's Governor Responds A federal emergency declaration was issued by New Mexico's governor on June 17 in response to the Trout Fire's rapid advance.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • The whole point of Casa Amor, theoretically, is to see whether these couples stay loyal to each other when separated into different villas and pursued by a whole new slate of bombshells.
    Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 24 June 2025
  • Fixers are loyal to systems, people and processes—even when they’re broken.
    Tinna Jackson, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The timeline is tight—most growth drivers need to materialize before 2028—but the groundwork is established.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
  • Powell is in a tight spot because the U.S. rate of inflation is still above 3%.
    Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the suit, filed Friday, Newsom says that Fox News had used deceptive edits to claim that the governor had lied in saying that Trump had not called him about deploying National Guard troops during the L.A. protests.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
  • Florida is leading the way in what can become a national movement to crack down on hospitals’ deceptive and unfair billing practices.
    Cynthia A. Fisher, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • The tune, a collaboration with Bruno Mars — whose presence surely helped the cut not only become a high-rising win but also a sturdy one — has now spent 34 weeks on the competitive tally.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
  • The bottom shelf has that classic handwoven top that is sturdy enough for a stack of small library books or a basket of your favorite magazines.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • But after Trump pulled the U.S. unilaterally out of the deal during his first term, Iran began enriching uranium up to 60% -- a short technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90% -- and restricting access to its nuclear facilities.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • The short version is that methane is embedded in coal deposits, and as miners dig to expose coal seams, the gas escapes, and continues to do so long after a coal mine reaches the end of its operating life.
    Umair Irfan, Wired News, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • By 1977, the Trans Am’s power had diminished significantly compared to vehicles from the high-output era that came to a quick close following the 1973 oil crisis, one that took the wind out of performance.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 June 2025
  • The app features guest mode sessions that disappear after use as well as a hidden exit button for quick redirection if an abuser walks into the room.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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