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
Sci-fi geeks have long worshipped an obscure TV show about a futuristic Moonbase Alpha and its spacecraft fleet of Eagles. Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 24 Aug. 2025 Naval fleet heads to Venezuela Two U.S. officials familiar with the Trump administration’s deployment told the Reuters news agency that three Navy warships — the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima and USS Fort Lauderdale — could be stationed off the coast of Venezuela as early as Sunday. Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 23 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
  • Over 1,000 people have reportedly been killed while seeking food; aid convoys have come under attack.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In June this year, a 15-truck convoy of humanitarians travelled more than a thousand miles across Sudan, loaded with life-saving supplies for desperately vulnerable children and families at risk of imminent starvation.
    Cindy McCain, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The tiny birds, named for the rapid beat of their wings, arrive in the Midwest each spring before making their way south again as the weather begins to cool.
    Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Divisions have experienced a brain drain of epic proportions, ProPublica found, losing senior leaders behind some of the biggest health initiatives of the modern era, like the rapid rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Laying claim to more than 800 acres teeming with apple orchards, gardens both botanical and medieval, 500 British white cattle, 400 sheep, about 80 red deer and an armada of great crested newts — the Newt has more than a few.
    Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Analysts expect brisk growth in the next two years.
    John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • As for the caravan, it is set to start at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Slade and Douglas avenues and end on Highland Avenue.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
  • After a whirlwind weekend of concerts and caravans, Monday offered a change of pace — a chance to slow down, soak in the beauty of Puerto Rico, and finally take advantage of our hotel.
    Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 21 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 1 Sep. 2025.

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