fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fastnext
1
as in quickly
with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast How to pronounce fast (audio)
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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3
as in tight
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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6
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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Dissimilar Words

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
More than a third of them are in Texas, where ample oil and gas resources and a historically forgiving regulatory environment had developers rushing to erect data centers as fast as they can be built and powered. — Matt Day, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 One of South by’s fastest-growing programming categories, podcasts have become an increasingly important part of SXSW through live tapings and industry conversations. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
This simulated fast charging across various electrode thicknesses, porosities, and binder distributions to map lithium-ion movement, pinpoint lithium plating, and isolate structural stress. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 2026 That project calls for installing 14 new chargers, two of which would be fast chargers. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
The fast will coincide with the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations. — Benjamin Park, The Conversation, 1 June 2026 Eid al-Fitr, which happens at the end of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marks the breaking of the fast. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Verb
Artificial intelligence is moving fast — so fast that old questions about whether AI should be licensed to practice medicine, in whole or in part, have become pressing ones. — Humayun Chaudhry, STAT, 3 Aug. 2026 The only difference is how long or fast your unit has to work in order to reach that temperature. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
  1. quickly
  2. quite
  3. rapid
  4. loyal
  5. tight
  6. deceptive
  7. sturdy
  8. short
Adverb
  • What quickly emerges, is Jackson’s talent for bringing comedic punch to each character.
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • An inmate ran out of a preliminary hearing at the Fairfield Courthouse Tuesday afternoon, knocking down a deputy district attorney and making it out of the courtroom before he was quickly apprehended, the Solano County Sheriff's Office said.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • The currents in the sea mean that swimming with small children or weak swimmers can be quite unrelaxing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, Jacquelyn is quite private and has no social media accounts.
    — Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • The numbers are vast and climbing again but during the countdown to another season, beginning on Friday night, there has been another timely marker to illustrate the rapid financial growth of the Premier League and its elite.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The state alleges OpenAI's rapid success stems from deceit and exploitation, causing widespread harm to Floridians and subverting public order.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Consumers have become more responsive to discovery — and less loyal than traditional retail shoppers.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • While their team has the highest total payroll in MLB this year, the Mets have subjected their loyal supporters to last-place baseball and a losing record on their home field.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Local institutions — already facing shortages of foreign currency and tight liquidity — must raise capital to finance such a sale, but MTN expects the transaction to close by year-end.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Graham Nordone and Norman are locked in a tight contest, according to polls.
    — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • The company alleges trademark infringement, unfair competition and deceptive trade practices.
    — Jason St. Angelo, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And, given his high release point, deceptive delivery and deep repertoire, where batters can’t often make good contact.
    — Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • These sturdy and reliable machines are great for both knocking out homework and streaming Netflix, with a big 24-inch FHD monitor that boasts good brightness and wide viewing angles.
    — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until a shaggy dough forms.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • The rally was fueled partly by a short squeeze, with more than $4 billion in bearish crypto positions liquidated as prices rose.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The crowd points their phones at the pair, who are alternating between short dances, rhythmic movements, and striking poses.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of short

Browse Nearby Words

fashions
fast
fastback
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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fast

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