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

3
4
5
6

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
Users can link CapCut to social accounts like TikTok for quick, essentially automatic video uploads. Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 The 11 case managers physically can't get to them quick enough; they're already booked out with other vets. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Cases granted at this time of the calendar are usually set for oral arguments early next year, but the parties convinced the justices to move quicker. Ella Lee, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025 This additional layer of lateral thinking is almost never prudent, and usually serves to kill both guardians quicker (and instill a killer headache). Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
The left-arm quick picked up the invaluable wicket of Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in history, who went out facing his first ball, and then Netravalkar got the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma. Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 12 June 2024 Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
Adjective
  • The backlash was swift, with figures like Senator Ted Cruz condemning the remarks and FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatening to scrutinize ABC’s broadcast standards.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey addressed the incident Wednesday, expressing concern for the injured students and their families while thanking school staff and first responders for their swift action.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Selling a player is the fastest way to do that; selling an academy player with little to no book value is the most efficient.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Time will tell whether the new system will deliver on its promises of more reliable and faster border crossings.
    Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Industry leaders like Epic, Microsoft, Doximity, athenahealth and Oracle have been rolling out new capabilities at a rapid clip.
    Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Bernardo lamented the success teams were having on the break against City after their defeat against Al Hilal in the Club World Cup in July, but City are giving teams a taste of their own medicine, with Haaland leading these rapid attacks.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • All in all, Pantzer's keen eye and relationships netted him 38 of the artist's watercolors, 3,000 engravings and seven life portraits, according to Newfields' collection overview.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Francis was said to have been keen to personally wish them a happy anniversary.
    Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • By reprogramming ordinary cells—like skin fibroblasts—into stem cells, scientists hope to create eggs and sperm from individuals long gone.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Adverb
  • The clip resonated quickly with viewers on TikTok, prompting an outpouring of affection in the comments.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Jimmy Choo's two collections with Sailor Moon, with the most recent one released in October, quickly sold out.
    Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Stay Active, Stay Connected Ave Maria Town Center is the picturesque heart of the community and was designed to inspire connection and support an active lifestyle.
    Ave Maria Development, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
  • If ingested in large enough quantities, this plant also can cause heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures and death.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirk is being celebrated as a champion of free speech who was willing to debate anyone anywhere and who was killed by someone who could not tolerate his views.
    Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The Gang Suppression Force is supposed to be overseen by a group representing the coalition of the willing, troop contributing countries.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on quick

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!