Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective rapid contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rapid are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When would expeditious be a good substitute for rapid?

Although the words expeditious and rapid have much in common, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of rapid?

The meanings of fleet and rapid largely overlap; however, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of rapid?

While in some cases nearly identical to rapid, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

Where would quick be a reasonable alternative to rapid?

The synonyms quick and rapid are sometimes interchangeable, but quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can speedy be used instead of rapid?

In some situations, the words speedy and rapid are roughly equivalent. However, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When might swift be a better fit than rapid?

The words swift and rapid are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

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 rapid Leading the effort is the ATF National Response Team, a specialized rapid-response force that responds to the nation’s highest-profile bombings, explosions and arson, including the 9/11 World Trade Center attack and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 Chris Ratcliffe | Bloomberg | Getty Images Salesforce is ramping up partnerships with leaders in generative artificial intelligence as investors continue to fear that the software company faces business risks due to the rapid growth of AI. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025 The rapid rise of video-first programming has completely reshaped the medium — and Netflix’s leadership has been watching. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2025 The initial phase of the mission includes a Marine air-ground task force aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and two San Antonio-class transport ships, with more than 2,000 Marines prepared for rapid-response missions. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rapid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapid
Adjective
  • His positioning and reading of the game remain sharp, his footwork is clean, and his reactions are quick.
    Beren Cross, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Wetkiss Knee-High Boots Lorelai's shoe collection is as memorable as her quick wit, and nothing says cool-weather quite like a pair of boots.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On a brisk February evening in 2006, around a hundred people gathered in the venerable Koreatown watering hole HMS Bounty to pay their last respects to Los Angeles’ historic Ambassador Hotel.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Playing there in October, Nadal, Świątek and their foes had to reckon with brisk winds, gray skies and plummeting thermometers.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Elementary school students spent more time in front of the TV than in school, viewing thousands of commercials for sugary cereals, candies and fast foods every year.
    Alice Callahan, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Jinga further noted that as Dexory continues to improve the technology that underlies DexoryView, existing customers will benefit from the upgrades and new customers will see faster deployments and quicker return on investment.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet this claim conceals the fact that registration is swift for compliant unions but obstructed for independent ones.
    Sourcing Journal, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025
  • With segregationists in control of the federal government, Wilson took swift action.
    Time, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.
    Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • Designed by renowned architect Dominique Perrault, its four stories tilting forward are said to evoke a galloping horse.
    Rob Hodgetts at Longchamp, CNN, 15 Oct. 2019
Adjective
  • Boise State football’s high-flying and speedy sophomore running back has wowed fans in 2025, emerging as the backfield guy who’s a home-run threat on nearly every carry.
    Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2025
  • How does Starlink extend speedy internet access to remote locations?
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 17 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapid. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on rapid

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!