quick 1 of 3

1
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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
The latest of the spacecraft, known as sounding rockets, most recently made a successful quick trip to space to study one of the most complex regions of the sun's atmosphere following a New Mexico launch. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2025 North Redondo offers entry-level single-family homes, townhomes, newer construction, and quick access to freeways, with a strong sense of neighborhood. Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Adverb
Somehow, he’s been better quicker than anyone could have imagined. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 3 July 2025 So being able to channel that going forward, he’s got some of that Cam Spencer crazy competitiveness, he’s got to learn to channel it like Cam, go from cursing and slamming the ball to getting back on task quicker. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
Noun
But a turnaround that quick will cost you: the service is $400 for GenVisa and $799 for FastPort, and that’s not including any government fees. Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2022 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 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • The swift decline of Vidalia Mills in Louisiana—if it can even be said to have truly taken off—is a telling example.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 22 July 2025
  • If the governor opens the door to these projects, the blowback will be swift, vocal, and impossible to ignore.
    Laura Shindell, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Perseids is a strong, fast meteor shower featuring about 50 to 100 meteors per hour, per NASA.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
  • The destination’s Island Eats program allows each guest to get one free meal at fast casual venues – many come with a side and cookie – or a 25% discount on an entree at a full-service restaurant.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Excessive drinking, eating, and urinating or weight changes in children: See a provider if your child is suddenly drinking, eating, or urinating more than usual, or if there’s a rapid change in weight.
    Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
  • Trump had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the war.
    Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Joe, who has asthma, strongly opposes the implementation of mask mandates that Mayor Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal) is keen to enforce.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 23 July 2025
  • That’s another substantive topic worthy of keen chatter.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 July 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
  • Coates was now entering a terminal stage: his heart and kidneys were failing, and fluid had to be drained from his belly several times a week.
    Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
  • What makes for a better song — a broken heart or falling in love?
    Brittany Talarico, People.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Marino knew all about those other things, and was willing to spill the information.
    Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 22 July 2025
  • One paper published in 2023 found that 75 percent of more than 2,000 men surveyed in the U.S. and Canada were willing to try novel contraceptives.
    Hannah Seo, Scientific American, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bar is a buzzy and boozy affair from 5 to 6 p.m. daily, where guests and locals gather in a ritualistic ceremony to visit and try some of the clever cocktails (like the Tropical Storm and Drunken Pimento) for which Ooshan has become known.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s head (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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