quick 1 of 3

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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
An incoming coach or general manager would probably like the idea of a potentially quick turnaround with key pieces on defense to go along with an offense that should be trending upward. Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 The visit was topped off with a quick jaunt into a closet to try on outfits and a surprise samba dance lesson. Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
If all of this sounds very fast, Collier initially planned to move even quicker. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025 Modern techniques like freezing herbs in oil or quick-pickling veggies keeps that spirit alive. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 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
  • But their party went into swift decline during the Cold War that began in the late 1940s and barely exists today.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The campaign began with an air offensive in January 1991, followed by a swift ground assault that expelled Iraqi forces within 100 hours.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Ride-hailing revenue grew 17% year-on-year to $317 million, deliveries grew 23% to $465 million, and financial services had the fastest growth at 39% to $90 million.
    Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The breakthrough dramatically boosts the power of attosecond light used to probe the fastest electron motions in atoms and materials.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Since Berman took the helm in 2022, professional women’s soccer has seen rapid growth.
    Jessica Golden, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Though much of the language around clean fashion is aimed at the health of the consumer, experts are keen to stress that benefits for those working in the supply chain should be considered, too.
    Sophie Benson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Blending the two forms requires a keen eye for visuals and an uncanny sense of the surreal.
    Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Not only are the views, of course, often repulsive, but the actual form of argument is not argument… That’s what interests me, that even the most basic principles that people have worked on for 2,000 years to establish what a fact means…gone.
    Josh Zajdman, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Al-Khatib’s home an d almost everything his family owned is long gone.
    Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • That more than compensated for the absence of Dixon-Waters, who was SDSU’s leading scorer in both preseason exhibitions (19 and 17 points) after missing all of last season with a fractured bone in his foot that refused to heal quickly.
    Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The actual bracket will be created on December 7 and if this sport has taught us anything this season, things escalate quickly.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Still, more robust research was needed to declare that the portfolio diet leads to heart-health benefits for everyone, including healthy individuals.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Gizmo’s incredible adoption story has certainly melted hearts online after Neveux documented her journey on TikTok (@saviiirose).
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The houses, often apartments inside the city’s tall residential buildings, strike so much fear among residents that anyone willing to live there can negotiate hefty discounts in one of the world’s most expensive property markets.
    Chris Lau, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • There are real questions about how much more consumers are willing or able to pay.
    Camila Domonoske, NPR, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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