hastiness 1 of 2

Definition of hastinessnext

hasty

2 of 2

adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hasty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hasty are expeditious, fast, fleet, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is expeditious a more appropriate choice than hasty?

The words expeditious and hasty can be used in similar contexts, but 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 hasty?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace hasty?

In some situations, the words fleet and hasty are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When would quick be a good substitute for hasty?

Although the words quick and hasty have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of hasty?

The synonyms rapid and hasty are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is it sensible to use speedy instead of hasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to hasty, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to hasty?

While the synonyms swift and hasty are close in meaning, 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 hastiness
Noun
Besides, just as the cruelty is the point of everything this administration does so, too, is the hastiness. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The Redskins moved forward as the Washington Football Team in 2020 because the hasty retreat from the original nickname didn't give the club time to come up with something new. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026 After the flirtation and its consummation, David beats a hasty (and unsurprising) retreat. Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hastiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hastiness
Noun
  • Shen’s hustle set an early tone.
    Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
  • The legendary home of Odysseus, Ithaca is steeped in mythology and offers quaint towns and stunning beaches without the hustle of Mykonos.
    Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • Their protagonists tend to be runaways—men who join whaling expeditions in their haste to dodge the malaise that sets in on shore, boys who board rafts floating down the Mississippi to evade their guardians and their chores.
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Now, each one of them will look to make haste in their respective chase for a state championship.
    Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Both on the same team would force some difficult decisions for opposing offenses, especially with Turner, Byron Young and Braden Fiske rounding out the pass rush.
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
  • As shoppers gear up for their European summer sojourns, brands are beating the tourist rush and setting up shop across the continent with temporary seasonal stores, beach club pop-ups and limited-time activations to capture the attention and dollars of the high-spending set.
    Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hastiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hastiness. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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