fleet 1 of 2

Definition of fleetnext
as in convoy
a group of vehicles traveling together or under one management a fleet of buses rolling down the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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fleet

2 of 2

adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fleet contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fleet are expeditious, fast, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When could expeditious be used to replace fleet?

In some situations, the words expeditious and fleet are roughly equivalent. However, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related as synonyms of fleet?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of fleet?

While in some cases nearly identical to fleet, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fleet?

The meanings of quick and fleet largely overlap; however, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of fleet?

The synonyms rapid and fleet are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

In what contexts can speedy take the place of fleet?

Although the words speedy and fleet have much in common, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to fleet?

The words swift and fleet can be used in similar contexts, but 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 fleet
Noun
Without losing a man or a ship, Dewey’s squadron destroyed the Spanish fleet in the first American naval battle against a foreign power in almost five decades. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026 The sea of red hats could’ve been a campaign ad; a fleet of expectant seniors on scooters waited to greet him. Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
Adjective
The fleet feet of Nikki Meletidis created an opportunity in the 38th minute. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026 Moth Days, in a relatively fleet process, got about a year and a half. Christopher Bonanos, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • When moving day finally arrived, the hospital transferred patients in an organized convoy of ambulances and clinical teams.
    Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
  • Those missions – called Operation Earnest Will – involved several US vessels escorting a convoy of just a few tankers.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • For instance, researchers found that rapid urbanization and electrification across Asia drove brightening in cities from China to India to Sub-Saharan Africa.
    Bree Shirvell, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Following the United States’ launch of Operation Epic Fury late last month, Iran deployed its own armada of light-weight, low-cost attack drones.
    Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2026
  • An armada of steely clouds with coal-black hulls was scudding between the rims, while a wash of pale pigments played across the canyon walls in a way that was entirely unfamiliar to me.
    New York Times, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Prada 2 has been enjoying brisk weekday business, including crossing the $300 million mark globally on Wednesday and $100 million on Thursday in North America.
    Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
  • On a brisk spring morning, a handful of visitors mosey in and out of Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in far western Kane County.
    Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Dean Estabrook tailed the bus full of his Yuba City High School choir students from his personal car, a two-vehicle caravan en route to a choral exchange in the Bay Area.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026
  • At one point, a new pain clinic opened in Broward every 72 hours as out-of-state caravans of cars, trucks and vans loaded up with pills slated for street sales.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • The house is a few minutes drive to Gulf Beach, on a bus line, within walking distance of a supermarket, Starbuck’s, and fast food.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 12 May 2026
  • Wendy’s — Shares rallied more than 23% after The Financial Times reported , citing people familiar with the matter, that Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management was looking to raise funds for a bid to take the fast food chain private.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • The notion advanced by France and Britain, in particular, that a European flotilla should exercise a role only when the shooting is definitively over, is futile.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2026
  • The flotilla’s latest attempt to reach Gaza comes less than a year after Israeli authorities foiled a previous effort by the group.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Adjective
  • When the puck finally dropped on the fifth and deciding game of the semifinal series, Minnesota came out flying with yet another quick start, pinning Montreal into its own zone for most of the opening 10 minutes.
    Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Both audiences and platforms are quick to reject content that feels like advertising.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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