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prompt

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adjective

prompt

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective prompt contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of prompt are apt, quick, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is apt a more appropriate choice than prompt?

The meanings of apt and prompt largely overlap; however, apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

In what contexts can quick take the place of prompt?

Although the words quick and prompt have much in common, quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

Where would ready be a reasonable alternative to prompt?

The words ready and prompt are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

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 prompt
Verb
Sora allows users to generate short videos for free by typing in a prompt. Jeniece Pettitt,julia Boorstin, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 In August, Google AI reported that the energy consumed for each prompt on its Gemini AI platform was 33 times smaller than one year before. Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The decision prompted backlash from the leaders of the United Kingdom’s three major political parties, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Luke Bosher, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Viewers online flooded her Threads post with title suggestions, prompting her to compile and share a running list on Substack, updated regularly with new books and age categories. Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
The new hire will be responsible for developing product strategy for Netflix’s core Productivity Assistant experience, conducting user research to understand workforce needs, and experimenting with prompt engineering and conversational interfaces. Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025 When Seedance and Seedream came out, his team conducted internal testing to compare their prompt adherence, image quality, speed, and cost to American competitors. Andrew R. Chow, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prompt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prompt
Verb
  • Knowing what causes a disease is often the first step for mitigation.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
  • There are also concerns the delay will cause chaos, confusion and stress for Americans, some of whom have already started receiving notices that their premiums will skyrocket next year.
    Ali Swenson, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Roughly 500 celebrities and Hollywood artists signed the Artists4Ceasefire petition in 2023; dozens of industry A-listers signed an Artists4Ceasefire letter addressed to then-President Biden, urging the White House for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire.
    Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
  • What Happens Next The FDA has urged consumers to follow recall instructions and dispose of affected shrimp promptly.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That was punctuated by the incident in Dubai, which Raducanu said left her struggling to breathe properly in the immediate aftermath.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Young Republican National Federation called for the immediate resignations of leaders in the organization exposed in a Politico story to have sent racist, antisemitic and other derogatory text messages to one another in a private chat.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His positioning and reading of the game remain sharp, his footwork is clean, and his reactions are quick.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Wetkiss Knee-High Boots Lorelai's shoe collection is as memorable as her quick wit, and nothing says cool-weather quite like a pair of boots.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Our answered prayer, our reminder of grace and purpose.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
  • This recall serves as a reminder of the importance of reading ingredient labels carefully, even on familiar products.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The bad news is that there are already murmurs in Brussels about piecemeal, incremental measures – harmonizing certain national laws, creating yet another framework for EU member states to fuss over and interpret.
    Jan Hammer, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The series is created, written, directed and executive produced by Levinson and produced in partnership with A24.
    Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Even then, Sitake and his former teammates were encouraged to speak freely in meetings, to suggest alternative schemes and to acknowledge ways to be different.
    Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • The shipping industry would have paid the tax into a fund created by the IMO, to encourage emissions reductions and raise funds for climate action.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet this claim conceals the fact that registration is swift for compliant unions but obstructed for independent ones.
    Sourcing Journal, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
  • With segregationists in control of the federal government, Wilson took swift action.
    Time, Time, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prompt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prompt. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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