fast 1 of 4

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2

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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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

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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
Look for sales: Start at the sales rack With summer fast approaching, retailers are likely to advertise Memorial Day sales. Julia Doyle, CBS News, 13 May 2025 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
Adjective
Eventually, military leaders want satellites to handle all of these tasks autonomously in space and do it fast enough for US or allied forces to respond to an imminent threat. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2025 By Bush’s account, Greenspan wasn’t cutting rates fast enough at the time, thus costing him a second term. Fred Imbert, CNBC, 18 July 2025
Noun
The administration needs to move fast and nominate a leader for NASA who will prioritize Artemis and its core mission. Matthew Beddingfield, Scientific American, 2 Aug. 2025 Hospital costs are also growing twice as fast as the median household’s income. Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
Its revenue grew 78% to $500 million, its fastest revenue growth in three years, according to the company. Medora Lee, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 The company said iPhone sales grew 13% year over year and total revenue grew 10%, marking Apple’s fastest quarterly revenue growth since December 2021. Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • Weaver has also dealt with injuries this season and has not been quite as sharp.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • That’s actually worked out really well so far as the unlikely duo has gelled quite nicely and Flair is arguably more over as a babyface than she’s ever been.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Sustain small farms amid global competition • Promote transparency and ethics in coffee sourcing In a world increasingly dominated by industrial scale and rapid production, Kona coffee companies should work to remain a symbol of craftsmanship, care and community.
    Jean Orlowski, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Trained in marksmanship, rapid deployment, ambushes, surveillance, and psychological operations, Los Zetas used overt military force to consolidate control over most of the Texas border and the Gulf Coast port of Veracruz.
    Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Proponents of the restrictions say the issue is a matter of national security, often citing concerns that individuals or businesses loyal to foreign governments could buy up large swaths of land in the U.S., posing a risk to agriculture and critical infrastructure.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • While Zhong has recently come under fire in China for not being loyal enough to his country after criticizing Beijing for failing to control pricing on online platforms, New Hampshire lawmakers worry that his new Nashua plant stands too close to sensitive military locations in the state.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jarrett Stidham fired a tight pass in the end zone to Franklin, who shook his defender with a crisp slant route.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
  • August 1, 2025 The Steelers' window with Rodgers under center is tight, as the former MVP has stated that this will likely be his last season in the NFL.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Falter, 28, is a deceptive lefty under team control through 2028 who is enjoying his best season, with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 22 starts.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The attackers use deceptive ads that imitate popular cryptocurrency brands like Binance, TradingView, ByBit and MetaMask.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.
    Alex Harris July 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • Persons in campgrounds should consider seeking sturdy shelter until this storm passes.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Along the way, people asked him to orchestrate short pieces, then conduct some sessions.
    George Bradt, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • All of their three quickest games (2:03, 2:07 and 2:08) have been started by Pivetta.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Dončić changed into his practice clothes for a quick promotional shoot.
    Dan Woike, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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