quick 1 of 3

1
2
as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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quick

2 of 3

adverb

quick

3 of 3

noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, 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 quick
Adjective
Here’s how the playoff picture looks: Two quick takeaways here: Multiple seeds in the Western Conference were up for grabs entering yesterday’s games. Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 This mower features a quick start system and a side discharge for efficient grass management. Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Arsenal settled far quicker than its visitor which only showed flashes of its brilliance in the first half – Kylian Mbappé twice failing to convert when through on goal. Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025 Catch up quick: Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race, lost by 10 points in a 50-50 state. Tal Axelrod, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
Down by 7 with 4:30 to go in the third quarter, Brady delivered a quick out to Edelman, who then connected with Danny Amendola for the 51-yard touchdown pass. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Dec. 2021 Hall’s adaptation cuts to the quick of the novel and transfers the shifting, unsettling quality of Larsen’s text back onto the viewer’s shoulders. New York Times, 20 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • However, before things turned deadly, his wife jumped to his aid, saving his life with her swift actions, according to reports.
    Sam Gillette, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The fallout at the Ivy League school has been swift – and the consequences will be enormous, scientists have warned.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • John Taylor, mayor of New Fairview, told the committee that Wise County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a 20% population increase since 2020.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • With their previous home sold and their third child on the way, Dallas designer Lisa Henderson and her husband, Luke, needed to find a new house—and fast.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That’s a rapid ascent that only the biggest names in the genre can manage.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The school’s rapid closure comes as it was already eyed by the district for a long-term closure as part of an ongoing facilities master plan.
    Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In footage shared with Newsweek by Ring, the super smart pooch can be seen quite literally knocking on the door with his paw, evidently keen to be let back into the house.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Cricket administrators in Seattle had also been keen, despite not yet having built the requisite infrastructure for the Orcas, the city’s MLC side.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • So many firsts, gone, charred to ash, just remnants of an area that once represented Black prosperity and joy.
    Maya Richard-Craven, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The original pioneers were mostly busy making non-hyperpop or gone: SOPHIE tragically died in 2021; 100 gecs spent years toiling to make their zany stadium-rock second album.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 3 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Yellows 1, 2, 3 and 4: Were all banned in 1959 after they were potentially linked to lesions and heart damage.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For a lot of kids, playing FNF at its peak—before development stalled, before mods went awry—seems to hold a special place in their hearts.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite experiencing that grief, the actress isn’t willing to be with anyone just to avoid being alone.
    Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Competition from other hunters is minimal, and good hunting can be had by anyone willing to put in some effort.
    Thomas Weddle, Outdoor Life, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The clever exploration of contrasts — marrying delicate fabrics, soft palettes, and masculine silhouettes — was the label’s unique formula for winning over fashion’s insiders, including powerhouse Moda Operandi.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The film follows 11-year-old Caroline (Johnson), a clever, sharp-eyed girl navigating a life of excitement and peril as a shoplifter with her mom Jocelyn (Williams).
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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