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

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

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
Earlier this week, Tesla unveiled a small fleet of robotaxis in Austin, marking the first time the EV powerhouse’s driverless vehicles transported paying passengers. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025 After graduating from Yale and serving in the Marines, which included two tours of duty in Vietnam, Smith launched Federal Express in 1973, starting with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets. David Chiu, People.com, 25 June 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
  • This article was updated to reflect OCHA’s statement saying Palestinians were killed waiting for food rations arriving in U.N. convoys.
    Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 18 June 2025
  • At other moments, towns have seen their power cut and cartel convoys parade through their communities.
    Edgar H. Clemente, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification -- when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours -- which is about twice the average and causes forecasting problems, according to the hurricane center.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • The idea went from concept to reality in rapid order.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The small armada competed in a regatta around buoys, practicing how to keep moving in light headwinds.
    Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2025
  • Despite these pronouncements, Israel’s aerial armada appeared to strike Iran with near impunity.
    Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • The finish is brisk with balanced acidity and a soft texture.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Examples of beneficial exercise include brisk walking, running, or cycling.
    Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • When a caravan of federal vehicles departed from the gates, protesters followed them, throwing rocks and other objects.
    Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • And when the cops creep in with a caravan of backup, Emery figures out that Joe’s new medallion has a tracker on the back of it.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's new aim at Federal Reserve Chairman Powell may also accelerate bets for faster rate cuts.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • California’s budget is not limitless, and a good program should not be measured by how fast it’s depleted.
    Roger Niello, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The highlight is a flotilla of teens on boats tied together like a seafood smorgasbord, but the preposterous sight of a great white eating a hovering rescue helicopter has a certain je ne sais quoi.
    Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 2025
  • My family was in the lead raft in a flotilla of three carrying a total of 15 guests, and as we were whisked into the Kern’s current, something extraordinary happened: our anxieties evaporated.
    David Amsden, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • From Piggly Wiggly to gas station, deli to sit-down-restaurant, most quick lunch establishments (and the Southerners that lovingly and critically frequent them) take the flavor, texture, and temperature of their chicken salads extremely seriously.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 27 June 2025
  • The app features guest mode sessions that disappear after use as well as a hidden exit button for quick redirection if an abuser walks into the room.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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!