hastiness 1 of 2

Definition of hastinessnext
1
2

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
The hastiness helps to explain why the administration’s defenses of the order varied so exotically. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026 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
Lawyers representing the defendants had criticized the timing of the hearing, saying they were notified only three days before Thursday’s court hearing, arguing that the short notice was hasty and left them without time to prepare their defense. — ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 Cooper also previously temporarily prevented the administration from closing the venue for the renovation project by ruling that the board’s decision was too hasty. — Emily R. Condon, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hastiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hastiness
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
Noun
  • The doc skips in disappointing haste over head-turning early films The Grim Reaper and Before the Revolution, and the potent 1970 telemovie The Spider’s Stratagem.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Thieves broke into a museum devoted to the work of Pierre-Auguste Renoir in the South of France early this morning, making off with four paintings by the French Impressionist before dropping two in the garden in their haste to escape.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2026
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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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