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
China, meanwhile, operates the world’s biggest naval fleet, including over 370 battle force ships with seemingly one target in mind. Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025 The vessel is part of China’s expanding fleet of large-deck amphibious ships intended to project power across the Western Pacific and beyond. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Advanced fleet management platforms can empower not only fleet owners but also independent fleet and telematics service providers to build advanced fleet digitalization applications, across sectors and countries. Aliaksandr Kuushynau, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 More:Fain letter urges UAW Stellantis members to be ready to OK strike More:GM reports 2.2% US sales dip in 3rd quarter, cites lower fleet demand Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 1 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • His bodyguards came back and told him the convoy would not be able to pass.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Another convoy helps him to the sideline.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The rapid growth of Kalshi, which is federally regulated by the CFTC as a futures exchange, has already tested much of the legal betting status quo.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 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
  • Zone 2 cardio is moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or cycling—done at about 60% to 70% of your max heart rate.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The 12-time Academy Award nominee and the model both bundled up for brisk weather, as both Cooper and Hadid wore coats, sunglasses and Cooper capped a beanie over his head.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Pricing for the off-road caravan starts at $60,900.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025
  • People can live there in tents, caravans, or prefab structures while buildings go up slowly around them.
    Shelly Culbertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Raptors’ 34-11 advantage in fast-break points was the biggest reason for that.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Fix Our Forests Act will help to unleash the conservation prowess of ranchers by limiting frivolous litigation and streamlining government processes to reduce fuel loads on the landscape at a much faster pace.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Under the cover of night, a flotilla of boats, some of them commandeered from local fishermen, tried to cross the Dnipro and land on the embankment near the plant, according to three Ukrainian military officers involved in the planning and execution of the assault.
    Simon Shuster, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Clinton and his flotilla made their way east to the canal’s terminus in Albany, then down the Hudson River to New York City.
    Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Most of the song, the pre-chorus, chorus, all that stuff, that was really quick.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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