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

Relevance

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

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 Dodge Ram fleet MARTA originally planned to use is temporarily under a nationwide recall. Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026 The Norwegian Luna became the 21st ship in NCL’s fleet, a sister to the Norwegian Aqua that arrived in 2025. Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The transition allowed Capital Metro to standardize its fleet appearance across UT Shuttle and city routes — a move some students said caused confusion because buses were no longer visually distinct at a glance. Robbie Farias, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026 During that time, Chinese shipyards have been turning out warships at frenetic pace, the nation surpassing the US in fleet size several years ago. Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
Noun
  • The twins were released, and Oseguera sent them on their way with a convoy of sicarios — hitmen — for safekeeping.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Fadi al-Qassem, the Syrian Foreign Ministry representative for the al-Hol camp administration, said the final convoy left the camp Sunday morning.
    ABC News, ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • At the edges of the channel, near the walls, Rout and Lim’s team saw rapid fluctuations of molecules — those were the wiggly nucleoporins.
    Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Zero tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, a narrow channel just off Iran’s southern coast that’s normally packed with an armada of 60 or more ships carrying 20% of the world’s oil.
    Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Navy has a powerful armada on station in the widening Mideast conflict.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Neither team shot the ball well early, but the pace was brisk.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Moderate-intensity exercise is anything that feels somewhat challenging, but doesn’t completely wipe you out, like brisk walking or a steady jog.
    Danielle Zickl, Outside, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • After fashion’s front row set conquered London, the caravan rolled onto Milan Fashion Week, where the energy felt instantly amplified.
    Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
  • So a caravan built specifically to sleep three or four people feels like the Goldilocks size, while a six-person rig seems rather large.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Defense Department continues to push for faster test cycles.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026
  • About Semafor Semafor is the world’s fastest growing independent news media company that delivers intelligence through its reporting and live convenings.
    Rachel Keidan, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The Navy has a flotilla in the Gulf region, led by two supercarriers.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
  • But as the boat at the front of the flotilla rounded the western tip of Crimea, its satellite link to the command center cut off, Lukashevych said.
    Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • While the recent renovation shines throughout the property, the pool is on the smaller side—perfect for a quick refresh, though guests seeking a more expansive swim in San Antonio’s summer heat may want to plan around it.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Visit Watsons Organic Market & Cafe on Main Street for quick meals on the go.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on fleet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster