fleet 1 of 2

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
Air Force officials said the smaller version would allow fighter jets such as the F-35 to carry multiple Quicksink rounds, expanding options for commanders to disrupt enemy fleets or logistics vessels from multiple platforms. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025 What's more, the SDA's fleet in low-Earth orbit will have numerous satellites. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
By comparison, Amazon has a fleet size of 93 aircraft as of June 30, according to data from Planespotters. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 3 July 2024 Her star-wattage smile sets the tone for the friendly, fleet front-of-house staff. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • Reliever Jonathan Bowlan — who became a full-time reliever this season — made the spot start before giving way to a convoy of pitchers.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
  • If jamming a head of state’s flight is possible, so is disrupting a humanitarian airlift, a naval convoy, or a swarm of autonomous drones.
    Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unrivaled also saw rapid growth across digital platforms during its first season.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of rapid expansion, Johnson focuses on sustainable growth.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Dusk has just destroyed the political center of the Empire in the Galactic Council, the seat of the largest religion in the Empire, and also the entirety of Cloud Dominion, which had a massive armada and significant political influence.
    Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Joining him for the indie-pop odyssey is an armada of guests: Lorde, Caroline Polachek, Daniel Caesar, Mustafa, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, Ian Isiah, Tirzah, Amandla Stenberg, and Zadie Smith, among others.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • There are expressive aromas of bread, pear and yellow plum; medium-full, with a rich, layered mid-palate, there is excellent complexity, significant persistence, brisk acidity and outstanding harmony.
    Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • If left on automatic, the GFX100RF prefers a 1/125-second exposure time, which is brisk enough to eliminate signs of handshake.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bürstner has never been afraid to do things a little differently, whether that means a fire-bellows-like inflatable motorhome semi pop-up or modular flip-expandable caravan.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The sun keeps setting as small caravans trudge through high grasses, over rocky ripple, and finally, into the marsh.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Blue Cruise functioned well in fast traffic, including a couple of automatic lane changes.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But most service impressions are shaped by System 1—the fast, intuitive, emotional response.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Pentagon deployed a flotilla of eight vessels, along with surveillance planes and an attack submarine.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement In a statement, the flotilla’s Steering Committee said the Alma sustained fire damage on its top deck but that the fire was extinguished and all passengers and crew are safe.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, the company stands out by prioritizing culture and vision over quick commissions.
    William Jones, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Roberson, leader of the church since 2023, has also opened the doors of the Cathedral from Monday-Saturday for tours, prayers or anyone walking by who needs a quick respite from the Miami heat.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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