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
Meanwhile, some Jackson County taxing jurisdictions have criticized the county’s tax policies as hasty and damaging. Ilana Arougheti june 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026 Spinning brushes and bursts of pressurized gas inside the head then sweep samples into a collection chamber before the spacecraft beats a hasty retreat. Andrew Jones, Scientific American, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for hastiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hastiness
Noun
  • The 6-foot-11 Condon rebounds relentlessly, protects the rim, delivers uncanny passes and makes winning plays, none bigger than his hustle to secure Florida’s comeback victory against Houston in the 2025 national championship game.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026
  • Despite the desert views, Santa Fe’s plaza—with the hustle and bustle of its restaurants, as well as Indigenous artists selling their wares—is only two miles away, for the best of both worlds.
    Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • But like Colletti before him, with Walter having purchased the majority stake in the Lakers, Pelinka is going to have to crash the hourglass and build a winner with haste.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • Payment only upon completion can lead to haste, which can generate confusion and mistakes.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Silicon Valley — home to companies such as Apple, Nvidia, Google and Meta — has become the center of another modern rush, driven by artificial intelligence and the promise of transformative wealth.
    Andre Byik, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • The pitch is not that London has never seen healthy food for busy people before, but that the smoothie—a category often caught between gym slop and shopping-centre sugar rushes—could be made credible.
    Lela London, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hastiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hastiness. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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