1
as in speed
a high rate of movement or performance
the amazing fastness with which the boy took his shower had us wondering if he'd used any water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stronghold
a structure or place from which one can resist attack
the guerillas retreated to their network of hidden fastnesses deep within the mountains
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in loyalty
adherence to something to which one is bound by a pledge or duty
his uncompromising fastness to the cause of freedom was beyond question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 fastness
Editors and contributors compare dozens of sets and look for qualities such as softness, durability, breathability, color fastness, and how well the linens launder and withstand wear.
—
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Li said the color builds the familiar ring-dye, white-core look designers expect, then fades predictably in laundry while maintaining high light fastness (Grade 4–5) and strong anti-yellowing.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Like the pressing, the hard work mentality and fastness of transition for example.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Neutral Ground had cowboys (or Cow Boys), Indians, cavalry attacks and rescues, and secret woodland fastnesses known only to the canniest frontiersman.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026
Li said the color builds the familiar ring-dye, white-core look designers expect, then fades predictably in laundry while maintaining high light fastness (Grade 4–5) and strong anti-yellowing.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 11 Nov. 2025
Like the pressing, the hard work mentality and fastness of transition for example.
—Andy Jones, New York Times, 29 May 2025
The Neutral Ground had cowboys (or Cow Boys), Indians, cavalry attacks and rescues, and secret woodland fastnesses known only to the canniest frontiersman.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fastness
Noun
-
Chatty Mercury in your 11th House of Friends conjoins fiery Mars there, so teamwork speeds up and plans move from ideas to actions.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Officials added that neither speed nor impairment appeared to be a factor in the crash.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dan Nowicki Erika Kirk praised the United States for holding a unique status on the globe and vowed that Turning Point will fight to stop her home state of Arizona from turning into a liberal stronghold like California.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
17 Apr. 2026
-
A day before the ceasefire announcement, Netanyahu appeared to be preparing the Israeli public for a ceasefire, by framing the offensive as a kind of final battle for the village of Bint Jbeil, a key Hezbollah stronghold.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Little glowing kiosks that accept cards, Apple Pay, cash, cryptocurrency or perhaps a solemn oath of eternal loyalty to Tri-Rail.—
Yehiel Kyle Israel,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Few companies are as deeply embedded in how the country works – in offices, schools, government agencies, living rooms and gaming consoles – and few inspire such complicated loyalty.—
J. Kyle Foster,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Bednar last pitched on April 8, and his four-seam fastball velocity was noticeably down.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Crochet downplayed any concerns about his velocity.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At Pembroke Castle, staff say the discovery adds a new dimension to the site's long history as a medieval fortress and birthplace of Henry VII in 1457.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
As Oda’s army closes in from outside, a young samurai is murdered within the castle walls, triggering a series of bizarre incidents that throw the fortress into paranoia and suspicion.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Our allegiance is not to any person or party, but to the reign of God, where truth matters, dignity is upheld, and power is held accountable.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Balat also wrote a statement declaring his allegiance to the Islamic State, Tisch said.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Israeli officials further compounded those fears Wednesday, with Avichay Adraee, Israel’s Arabic-language spokesman, accusing Hezbollah of moving beyond its traditional bastions of support in the southern suburbs of the capital and embedding itself in north Beirut and mixed neighborhoods.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
And our backstop—for a lot of us, sort of last bastion—was work.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Stockdale's discoveries and dedication resulted in the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) awarding him the 2026 Berenice and Arthur Page Medal.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
19 Apr. 2026
-
For me, being an artist is about hard work, dedication, and pushing yourself to create something that matters.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fastness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fastness. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
