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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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

as in to diet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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For
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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
Instead, lenders can use AI to help do their work faster, more accurately and at lower cost. Marius Silvasan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 This is the season when new restaurants open faster than anyone can keep up. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
John Taylor, mayor of New Fairview, told the committee that Wise County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a 20% population increase since 2020. Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025 With their previous home sold and their third child on the way, Dallas designer Lisa Henderson and her husband, Luke, needed to find a new house—and fast. Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
The focus was on small, nimble teams, an urgency to go from zero to one fast and the imperative to gather customer feedback within a year. Mark Francis, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The 40 days of the fast is a benchmark and could be extended, Bryant said. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
But fast forward 25 years and the cruise industry has changed dramatically. David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The finale fast forwards to an obscured view of the never-remarried, aged Spencer lying down by his wife's grave. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • When asked about it in his pre-match press conference, Silva, quite fairly, dismissed its relevance in strong terms.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • The hidden joke of their routines — what even a lot of the long-haired druggie types in the audience didn’t quite get — is that the counterculture was over.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a rapid ascent that only the biggest names in the genre can manage.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The organization urged community members to report immigration enforcement to the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice’s rapid response hotline at (909) 361-4588.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The loyal throngs of fans that stuck around, even as the crowd dwindled, were duly rewarded when, a few hours later, Lorde arrived in the flesh to perform.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The controversy alienated even our party’s most loyal supporters who felt that party bosses, not Democratic primary voters, were deciding which candidate would emerge in the general election as the Democratic nominee.
    Ken Martin, Time, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Tour demands that players lift up their floors — and flaws — in tight moments.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • For smaller companies or those operating with tight budgets, these costs can seem prohibitive, especially when the return on investment (ROI) is uncertain or far beyond the headlights.
    Tim Houlne, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Without resources or expertise to vet influencers properly, these companies become vulnerable to deceptive practices.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • In 2022, the California DMV sued Tesla, saying the company engaged in deceptive marketing and advertising practices around its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • It’s entirely made of cotton that has been coated with polyvinyl to create a sturdy material with the look of pebbled leather, which is as water-resistant and stain-repellent as hide.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Get to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • After a short ceremony, the church will open to the public from: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to midnight Thursday: 7 a.m. to midnight Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    George Petras, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Letters to the editor are usually short and to the point.
    Elizabeth Keifer, Hartford Courant, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ivanka posted a video and pictures to her social media platforms on Monday following the celebration, during which Theo and Barkley had a quick game of catch while running around the area.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Keep them in your personal item bag for a quick touch-up mid-flight.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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