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
The global industrial fishing fleet – nearly half a million vessels – hauls in about 100 million metric tons of seafood each year. Jennifer Raynor, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2025 Ron expects a relatively fast adoption cycle — among both logistics firms looking to replenish freight fleets and shippers, such as major retailers, with their own trucking assets and operations. Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Aug. 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
  • When a military convoy rumbles past, no one seems to notice.
    Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2025
  • More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli fire since May while seeking aid in the territory, most near the GHF sites but also near United Nations aid convoys, the U.N. human rights office said last month.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As the Ukraine war progresses, the U.S. government is understanding the power of rapid prototyping and experimental focus to improve and innovate on physical AI capabilities.
    Sabbir Rangwala, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • This shortage has been linked to a rapid growth in the population.
    Christina Shaw, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • In the 16th century, Spain was a global superpower with its mighty armada, and gold and silver flowing in from its American colonies.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025
  • The potential death knell for an armada of space discovery missions has been reverberating not just across NASA, but also throughout the U.S. universities that help conceive or design these flights.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
Adjective
  • The new nine-speed transmission offers brisk, usually seamless shifts; though at times the acceleration can feel a bit segmented.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Analysts expect brisk growth in the next two years.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • More and more caravans and camper vans, people parking up in lay-bys and trying to do it on the cheap.
    Angus MacKinnon, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Despite warnings from law enforcement officials to not move vehicles through floodwaters, the camp decided to evacuate campers through a flooded area, and the last bus and van of the camp’s caravan became stuck in floodwaters.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Polar bears rely on fast ice as a platform for hunting seals.
    Cassidy Randall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Lawmakers responded with reforms that included faster payroll tax increases, a gradual rise in the retirement age, and taxation of some Social Security benefits.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Jerusalem Post reported this week that Thunberg and others on her pro-Palestinian flotilla that was intercepted before reaching Gaza cut the IDF showing off, and she has since been put on a plane back to her native Sweden.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025
  • Behind them, a flotilla of other boats, kayaks and canoes, some sporting tribal or national flags, followed in support and celebration.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, one quick two-handed push off by No. 5 sent Morris earthbound as the coach quickly became London’s next victim.
    Hailey Hurst, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Isak himself stressed his happiness in the spring and featured in club kit promotions, hardly the actions of someone desperate for a quick exit.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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