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
With their quick banter and palpable chemistry, by the time these two kissed in season 4 of Gilmore Girls, fans were at the edge of their seats. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 May 2025 Kidney is quick to credit those who helped him along the way, especially his inner circle. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025
Adverb
China’s leaders seem to expect America’s political feedback loop will kick in quicker and sharper for Trump than for Xi Jinping. Ryan Hass, Time, 25 Apr. 2025 The company, which was founded nearly a decade ago, has hit $1 billion in revenue quicker than any other precision oncology lab company, per the analyst. Hakyung Kim, CNBC, 21 Apr. 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
  • Senior officials from both sides quickly confirm the deal, which is expected to bring a swift conclusion to military escalation.
    Riazat Butt, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025
  • Having a solo focus on Daniel Richter’s new paintings has elicited a very positive response, reflected in collectors’ swift decisions to buy.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • With a win Friday, the Braves, who began the season with seven losses, could’ve tied an MLB record for the fastest team to reach .500 after such a start: The 1945 Boston Red Sox started 0-7 and got to the mark in their 38th game.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 10 May 2025
  • Chinese factory activity contracted at its fastest pace in 16 months in April, adding urgency to Beijing’s efforts to roll out fresh economic stimulus.
    Juliana Liu, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The 20-year-old centre-back is one of the most exciting defensive prospects around and his move to the Santiago Bernabeu marks the highest point yet of a remarkably rapid rise.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • And who stands to benefit, and who might this rapid shift be hurting?
    Taylor Wilson, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • With distrust running high, both sides have been keen not to appear weak, and economic analysts had low expectations of a breakthrough.
    Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Afterward, the friend wanted to return to the hotel to rest again, but the OP was keen to keep exploring.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 11 May 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
  • But most importantly, Cuban wore his heart on his jacket sleeves for fellow entrepreneurs coming onto the show.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • When the call came that a donor heart was available, Robinson was hit with a wave of emotion.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • Pete’s Payday Alonso, 30, had hoped for a larger and longer payday last winter but watched his hopes dwindle in a market saturated with first basemen willing to accept less.
    Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • While left wing-back Federico Dimarco provided a useful short out-ball during the Italian side’s build-up, right wing-back Denzel Dumfries was much more available and willing to make runs in behind — where long diagonal balls into the Netherlands international caused chaos.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • For apartment dwellers and people who prefer not to dangle midair, this clever contraption looks like a window-cleaning game changer.
    The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch (Joseph Zada), a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 21 May. 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!