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
The Pause That Pays Off In an enterprise culture that prizes velocity—faster OKRs, quicker check-ins, shorter alignment cycles—this approach was counterintuitive. Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Harry’s critics accused the duke of pulling a publicity stunt with his quick trip to England to see his father for what turned out to only be a half-hour meeting. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Before race day, grab a PB crunch toast topped with banana and honey for quick-digesting carbs or an açai bowl made with coconut water for some extra hydration. Sunny Hubler, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2025 The idea behind this is to increase airflow and heat transfer into the base of the pizza to allow quicker and more even crisping. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 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 swift guilty verdict for Arne Cheyenne Johnson, whose girlfriend had recently been mauled by his victim, speaks to the court and the public’s reaction to that wild legal strategy.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Israel’s strike on a Hamas compound in Doha this week drew swift condemnation from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Europe, and even the US, which said the bombing violated Qatar’s sovereignty.
    Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Blue Cruise functioned well in fast traffic, including a couple of automatic lane changes.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But most service impressions are shaped by System 1—the fast, intuitive, emotional response.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Unrivaled also saw rapid growth across digital platforms during its first season.
    Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of rapid expansion, Johnson focuses on sustainable growth.
    Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Shi seemed confident that Strand Larsen, who was keen to join Newcastle United before the deadline, will knuckle down despite Wolves rejecting two bids.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This is not the 21st-century China that the state is keen to project in films that play abroad — and these characters are not model 21st-century Chinese, either.
    Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 5 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 job market moves quickly, and preparation is your competitive advantage.
    Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Conversely, people who live in an arid climate might find that dust builds up quickly, especially around doorways and windows, which are common entry points for outside dirt, requiring more frequent sweeping.
    Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As the sun was setting, hundreds of North Texans — many clad in black — gathered with candles and posters in their hands and solidarity in their hearts.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But roughly 20-30% of people who are infected develop severe symptoms, including a range of heart issues—such as heart failure, irregular heartbeat, or even death—and digestive issues—such as an enlarged esophagus or colon, which could cause problems with eating or going to the bathroom.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That's bad news for Arizonans hoping to catch a sight of the spacecraft soaring overheard, but those willing to make a trip to the launch site in the neighboring state will still be treated to an incredible view of the Falcon 9 blasting off from the ground.
    Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Bantin's post suggests the developer wasn't willing to compromise the port's quality by squeezing that content through the relatively narrow 400 MB/s bus of a physical Switch 2 card.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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