HASTE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'haste' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch , expedition , hurry , and speed . While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness. // marry in haste

Q: How are the words 'expedition' and 'dispatch' related as synonyms of 'haste'?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters. // the case came to trial with expedition // paid bills with dispatch

Q: When could 'hurry' be used to replace 'haste'?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion. // in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

Q: When can 'speed' be used instead of 'haste'?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action. // exercises to increase your reading speed

haste

noun

ˈhāst

Definition of haste

as in speed

a high rate of movement or performance made haste to get there on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hustle

excited and often showy or disorderly speed haste makes waste in her haste, she forgot her keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun haste contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch, expedition, hurry, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of haste?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

When could hurry be used to replace haste?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

When can speed be used instead of haste?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

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 haste Every other guest of the resort should get a full refund, post-haste. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026 If things start to look like an actual slowdown of AI is going to be imposed, there will be a heightened frenzy to beat the deadline and proceed with tremendous haste. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the clearest example of lessons learned from the Los Angeles fires was the haste with which local law enforcement worked to evacuate residents, Clemo said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Utility deposits forgotten in the haste and hassle of an interstate move. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for haste

Recent Examples of Synonyms for haste

Noun

In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a new six-speed manual gearbox.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of speed

Noun

However, those craving quiet may find the hustle and bustling a little disarming, despite the silence of the hallways.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Of course, there are also age-old hustles so evidently dishonest that there was a time when their exponents risked being hung or shot.

— Kit Chellel, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of hustle

Noun

The broad market's rise lifted some components of the S & P 500 – notably a few energy stocks – into overbought territory, based on the relative strength index (RSI), a momentum indicator that tracks the velocity and size of price changes.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
The latter scope which includes the instruments HARPS (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher) and NIRPS (Near Infra Red Planet Searcher), which astronomers use to find and study exoplanets — worlds outside of our solar system.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of velocity

Noun

With that said, the reality is today’s order is a fairly damning indictment against one-time gubernatorial hopeful Bregman and his office’s rush to judgment.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Prediction market Kalshi is in no rush for the Supreme Court to wade into its battle with states.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of rush

Noun

Don’t worry, the breakdown starts in a hurry and Cardellini is terrifying, if perhaps not as sympathetic as the series requires long-term.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Jahkeem Stewart played after being listed as a game-time decision on the injury report and recorded a quarterback hurry.

— Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of hurry

Noun

That inch of rain in San Diego is double the typical October precipitation there.

— Nicholas Grondin, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
According to the agency’s website, past moderate cycles were associated with extreme precipitation in Maryland, including the Mid-Atlantic’s record-breaking snowfall in 2009 and 2010.

— Luke Parker, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of precipitation

Browse Nearby Words

hassling

haste

hasten

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Style

“Haste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haste. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of haste

noun

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