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hurry

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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
A lot of Philadelphia's veterans began to age in a troubling hurry, too. Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Oct. 2025 The outlook looks bleak if rookies Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips don’t improve in a hurry. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Daria hurried so as not to miss her chance. Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025 The idea was to hurry the process and get a cup of coffee into the consumer's hands as quickly as possible. Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hurry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurry
Noun
  • Back then, Payton was a destructive and uber-athletic 6-foot-3 bundle of energy, capable of blowing up plays with hustle and a limitless vertical leap.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • While typical October activities like haunted hayrides and pumpkin patch visits may feel far off from the hustle and bustle of New York, the city has its own crop of spooky activities to get in the spirit.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That’s the top speed for a 49ers ball carrier so far.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Why Arc's hypersonic speed could change aerospace testing Beyond rapid delivery, Arc doubles as a hypersonic testing platform.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Was the Queen of Pop merely causing a commotion?
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • In the commotion, Josie became separated from the group.
    Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Kim rushed home to find Kris lying on a stretcher with a neck brace.
    Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Robinson rushed for 170 yards on 19 carries with an 81-yard touchdown that blew this game wide open in favor of the home team.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Normally, the hours and days before the prospect of a shutdown on Capitol Hill are filled with scenes of lawmakers and aides scurrying about to negotiate possible settlements.
    Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After scurrying through passengers, the scared kitten ended up in the arms of New York native Betsaida Mercado, who picked up the feline and took her home.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Though meetings between military brass and civilian leaders are nothing new, this gathering had fueled intense speculation about its purpose given the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it.
    Konstantin Toropin, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Trump spoke briefly to reporters about the post on Saturday, stating that it was not meant to critique Bondi, but to urge his Attorney General to move with haste in prosecuting his political opponents.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The company also uses the sprawling campus to test explosives, according to its website, measuring the velocity of explosions as well as their impact on surrounding areas under varying environmental conditions.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Measure the velocity and impact of their ideas.
    Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To make the stir fry sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together the broth (or water), soy sauce, brown sugar, Shaoxing wine (or more broth), cornstarch, sesame oil, ginger and garlic.
    Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The bakery aisle of the megastore caused quite a stir back in March when Costco introduced a new carrot cake.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurry. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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