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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hurry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hurry are dispatch, expedition, haste, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

How do expedition and dispatch relate to one another, in the sense of hurry?

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 can haste be used instead of hurry?

The words haste and hurry can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

Where would speed be a reasonable alternative to hurry?

Although the words speed and hurry have much in common, 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 hurry
Noun
Kourtney Kardashian is another celebrity who wasn’t in a hurry to move in with her husband Travis Barker. Rachel Flynn, People.com, 16 June 2025 This episode of Beauty Haul is spilling the skincare secrets of Vogue’s staffers—and yes, this is for those of us that get ready in a hurry! Vogue, 10 June 2025
Verb
The woman and her caretaker hurried home after spotting the animal, the outlet noted. Becca Longmire, People.com, 12 June 2025 The ship’s list was already so pronounced that the drawer of the café’s cash register was slung open, and the pair were passed by officers and stewards hurrying to their boat stations, their arms out to each side like customers negotiating the tumbling barrel of a fun house. Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurry
Noun
  • Despite her small stature of 5ft 3in (1.61m), the full-back holds her own, harries and hustles with defensive intelligence, but progresses the ball up the pitch, too.
    Michael Cox, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • Perhaps this generation will give us all permission to step away from the chaotic hustle and focus more on our health.
    Colleen Batchelder, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • In effect, platform engineering principles are all about streamlining and standardizing the development, deployment and management of applications to improve productivity, reduce operational overheads, shorten application cycle times and accelerate speed to market.
    Steve Millidge, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The Eight of Wands shows speed, momentum, and unexpected progress entering your life.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Play was delayed for several minutes when a spectator needed medical attention after Alcaraz noticed the commotion in the stands.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
  • There followed a small commotion of friendliness—apologies, laughter—after which we were led to our seats and sent a free passion-fruit donut.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Pascual suffered a massive head injury and was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center where he was put on life support.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
  • The priest survived, but had to be rushed to the hospital to have shrapnel from the bomb removed from his body.
    Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • For more than 70 years, thousands of common wall lizards, known as Lazarus lizards, have scurried across sidewalks and lurked in your garden.
    Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • Then, scurrying back inside, Margo went straight for the unattended pantry.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • By using its emergency docket to leap to the Administration’s defense, the Court acted with unseemly haste and engaged in overt cherry-picking.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
  • Why did Jennifer, who’d waited years for Mr. Perfect, suddenly move with such haste?
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • On Sunday, the velocity on his four-seam fastball was down 1 mph.
    Will Sammon, New York Times, 29 June 2025
  • Still, for many of the players who were dominant during tennis’ defining era, today’s shrunken audiences are somewhat baffling, given the athleticism on display and the dizzying velocity of the aggro-baseliner game.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • As with all games, the results caused a stir, and Nic, Elan, Cierra, Chelley, Huda, and Ace were at the heart of the drama.
    Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • The season 36 finale caused quite a stir with fans, but this isn't the first time a core family member bit the dust.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurry. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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