Definition of hastynext
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 hasty 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 Offscreen tragedy, including the deaths of key executive producer Kevin Turen and actor Angus Cloud, who played the affable drug dealer Fezco, and reports of long shooting times and hasty rewrites made the prospect of a third season seem up in the air for years. Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 Filers who beat the deadline will position themselves for hasty refunds. Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hasty
Adjective
  • In addition, the hurried evaluation and adoption of this proposal, which became public less than a week ago, is unnecessary.
    Jeff Kottkamp, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2026
  • Galena’s Historic District was ranked 66 for its relaxed environment and disconnection from the modern hurried atmosphere, according to the publication.
    Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • According to the health ministry, the main challenges in containing the outbreak include early detection and rapid isolation of cases, rigorous contact tracing, safe and dignified burials and strengthening infection prevention and control in health facilities.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 June 2026
  • Having scored for fun at youth level, his rise was rapid.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Instead, Mahan and his wealthy Silicon Valley backers talked themselves into a rushed and premature campaign that was never remotely competitive.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
  • As immigration officers arrested her six weeks ago, through tears and a rushed goodbye, Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez had a request for her daughter.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The area The property sits in the Anambas archipelago, an 80-minute flight from Batam, an Indonesian island that’s a quick boat ride from Singapore.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • In Campbell’s experience, the learning curve for padel is quicker than pickleball.
    Mindy Sink, Denver Post, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Mickey Todiwala Leaving software engineering wasn't an impulsive decision.
    Mike Winters Mickey Todiwala, CNBC, 4 June 2026
  • What moved me most in The Testaments was its cast of teenage girls — the Plums seemed to be sparkling, creative, impulsive, curious, deeply loyal, and ready to question the world around them.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Alternatively, if exercising within four hours of bedtime, opt for short-duration, light-to-moderate-intensity exercises, such as brisk walking, or slow jogging for 30 minutes.
    Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 27 May 2026
  • Given the brisk start then, is there still hope that the best is yet to come?
    Randy Myers, Mercury News, 23 May 2026
Adjective
  • Another placard states that, at one point, the driver of the fastest boat in the world lived across from the Sagamore.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • SMRs are usually designed to be mass-produced and shipped to sites for faster and cheaper installation than traditional reactors, which often take over a decade to come online.
    Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 3 June 2026
Adjective
  • Better that there be no resentments about money, better that Adele learn that rash decisions had lasting costs.
    Jonathan Franzen, New Yorker, 1 June 2026
  • Arsenal restricted them to fine margins — a penalty in normal time, conceded by a rash decision by their third-choice right back against arguably the most in-form winger in the world.
    Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hasty. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on hasty

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