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

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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
Russia has the world’s largest fleet with about 100 vessels, including colossal ships powered by nuclear reactors. Sam McNeil, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026 Rival Waymo is expanding its Vegas footprint and even plans to add the IONIQ 5 into its own fleet mix, as opposed to Jaguar, their current trim in cities like Los Angeles. Josh Max, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Fiji Airways is the smallest airline by fleet size to ever receive the honor and the only airline in Oceania to win, according to the carrier. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025 Davis added that the company will continue to re-evaluate its fleet size ahead of upcoming meetings with its union leaders. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • The trip technically started in the capital city of Rihayd, and our convoy of roughly 10 Defender 110s (stock but decked out with rooftop tents) made its way from Hail down to Al Ula, with my trip concluding in Jeddah.
    Jerry Perez, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
  • When their convoy is brutally ambushed, Amber is forced to put her life in Tibor’s hands.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Across the city, mutual-aid and rapid-response networks are coordinating food, rides, childcare, rent assistance, and medical support so families can keep living without exposing themselves to risk.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Kindred, which owns both Orange County facilities, has refused to pay workers enough to avoid rapid turnover that has contributed to understaffing.
    Pat Maio, Oc Register, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Back then, America feared an armada of Soviet bombers laden with A-bombs barreling over the horizon, dodging our few anti-aircraft batteries, and dropping their deadly payloads on undefended American cities.
    Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
  • The operation, officials said, unfolded in less than half an hour overnight but drew on weeks of rehearsals and a vast armada of aircraft and intelligence assets that tracked Maduro’s behavioral habits.
    Time, Time, 3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Ahead of the storm, Thursday is expected to bring mostly sunny skies with highs near 49 and a brisk west wind that could gust close to 30 mph.
    Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2026
  • While the area can be unbearably hot in the summer and quite brisk in the winter, fall and spring are the best times of year to visit.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In addition to cameramen, Liberato invited several friends to follow him in his chase caravan.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside, 22 Jan. 2026
  • There’s no sign of the bathroom, but that’s not unusual for a caravan that’s both compact and lightweight.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This approach supports faster decision-making across programs.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Loose, fast, and slightly jerky steps, a sudden joy sweeping through the body like a wind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • After World War I, the US Navy operated the Yangtze Patrol, a flotilla of gunboats that protected American interests – including missionaries and oil companies – inside China during a lengthy period of warlordism and instability.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • However, the Australian admiral cautioned that the Chinese naval flotilla's direction, purpose and intent remain unclear.
    Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Financial reality is often presented as comfortable in an Instagram post, or a quick tweet where the reality of the artist is the commodity being sold.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
  • However, one quick look at what companies like Boston Dynamics has achieved with robots like the rather creepy dog-like ‘Spot,’ who herds sheep in New Zealand, and the possibilities seem endless.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.

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