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
Ultimately, the global 737 Max fleet was grounded from March 2019 to November 2020 as Boeing and regulators addressed the flight control issues. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 20 May 2026 The Federal Aviation Administration grounded the MD-11 after the November crash, and UPS has since retired them from its fleet. Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Adjective
Britain won the first of three fleet races Sunday. ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026 The fleet feet of Nikki Meletidis created an opportunity in the 38th minute. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • As part of the ceremony, military vehicles decorated with flowers were used as wedding cars and convoy vehicles.
    May 19, CBS News, 19 May 2026
  • Though our traveling party was relatively large with a dozen guests and several guides, the experience felt intimate, since we were divided up into a convoy of Land Rovers.
    Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2026
  • The rapid increase in bank lending to small businesses poses financial stability concerns as such lending now accounts for a large share of banking sector assets and a thick tail of financially weak small firms could result in sizeable credit losses.
    George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026
Noun
  • Yellow split peas, horse gram, chickpeas, brown lentils and moth beans — Iyer assembles an armada of more than 15 different types of legumes for the Legume Curries chapter.
    Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 11 May 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • For their previous outings, Queen Camilla merged her two favorite British designers into one look, wearing a cream Fiona Clare dress with pink and blue florals throughout and a blue Anna Valentine wrap coat to stay warm amid Belfast’s brisk temperatures.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
  • Business is brisk elsewhere in Asia too.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 19 May 2026
Noun
  • That will be enough for a decently sized caravan, and with the EX60’s range, this car is a viable option for towing.
    James Morris, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
  • In a TikTok post on Sunday, May 17, Venezuela shared a series photos of the new home, which appears to be a static caravan home.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Kendall George, an outfield prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of the fastest players in the minor leagues, injured his left knee on Monday night trying to avoid the bat dog for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, league sources told The Athletic.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 27 May 2026
  • According to the research team, the method can make these simulations run up to 50 times faster while preserving critical physical detail.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • Those on board the flotilla included activists, journalists, and at least one Italian lawmaker, who set sail from the Turkish district of Marmaris on May 14.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 25 May 2026
  • As is now the tradition before visits to Craven Cottage, supporters colonised a flotilla of boats to take them up the Thames.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Adjective
  • Amenities and experiences The 10th floor spa remains one of the hotel’s biggest assets, not least because the panoramic views across Hyde Park make even a quick sauna session feel cinematic.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026
  • Over the past decade, the club have been forced to activate several economic ‘levers’ to ensure their stability — such as selling stakes in the club’s future businesses to private equity companies to raise quick cash.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 27 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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