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
Built in 1965, the JFK was the oldest ferry in the Staten Island fleet when it was retired last August due to mechanical failures. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026 Laced with Horgan’s signature combination of unsparing honesty and sparkling wit, Youth is a fleet and frisky reminder that growing into yourself is a lifelong endeavor. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Adjective
The fleet buildup is designed to prevent such single points of failure, and the new bill contains language that would require NOAA to have backup aircraft on hand for each mission. — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 17 June 2026 Airlines generally plan for fleet growth years in advance, and the bulk of an aircraft's price is paid when a carrier receives it. — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • The attack comes a day after a roadside bomb struck a security forces convoy in the northwestern Hangu district and killed six soldiers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The following year, a roadside bomb targeted the Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister as his convoy was driving in Gaza.
    — Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthis' political bureau, said Washington reached out to the rebels after their rapid advance down Yemen's western coast to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this month.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Now, with growing bipartisan opposition to the rapid buildout of data centers suggest that even ordinary residents of communities and voters have increased power to help pace the frontier from the bottom up.
    — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Not an inciting event for troll armadas to threaten the people involved.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Corlys has his own armada sailing for Rhaenyra.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Roughly 30 minutes a day of brisk walking, light jogging, swimming or cycling supports the hormone’s natural rhythm when the effort feels energising rather than exhausting.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cooler temps and far less humidity than in summer make fall the ideal time to visit, and if the evenings get a bit brisk, there’s always a glass of bourbon to take the chill away.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • While the car caravans are acknowledged as a symbol of cultural pride and, for many, an affirmation of identity, Chicago city officials and Mexican Independence Day festival planners alike worry about the potential danger.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
  • On that 1848 trip, Mason walked 1,700 miles alongside a 300-wagon caravan over months, The Times previously reported.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Success won’t be determined by who adopts AI the fastest or deploys post-quantum cryptography first.
    — Evgeny Gervis, Forbes.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone wants to be fast, but most times the big laughs come from coming in at the right time as opposed to coming in quickly.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • According to Euronews, the ships belonged to the German Kriegsmarine’s Danube and Black Sea flotillas, which were intentionally sunk as German forces retreated before the advancing Soviet Red Army during the final months of World War II.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The vessel was hired in late 2024 by a production operating under the working title Charlie’s Tale and appeared as one of the escort ships in the film‘s Viking flotilla.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
Adjective
  • Descano’s team has claimed prosecutions are pointless when the government’s own experts corroborate the insanity defense, while critics say his office is too quick to accept defendants’ narratives without a jury.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Dog grooming tips like these show that grooming your dog at home can go well beyond a quick wipe-down.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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