RAPID Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

rapid

adjective

ˈra-pəd

Definition of rapid

as in quick

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the rapid descent of the roller coaster made me feel very queasy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Since the rapid rise of OpenClaw, used by coders to manage the AI models powering digital assistants, companies like OpenAI and Google have introduced similar agentic tools and features alongside startups like Town. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026 By comparison, Ecuador’s dollarization produced a much more rapid disinflation and stabilization. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Flood-prone roads and low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams, while urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage due to rapid runoff. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 Plus, the light, ergonomic ear casings secure up to 50 hours of total charge capsule stamina with rapid quick-charge support. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rapid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapid

Adjective

Reatil and quick-service restaurants can audit drive-thru bottlenecks, analyze foot traffic and flag point-of-sale (POS) anomalies.

— Robert Messer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The war, which Putin launched expecting a quick and complete victory, was not an accident.

— MICHAEL KIMMAGE, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of quick

Adjective

Fall in Europe brings with it brisk temperatures that make sightseeing an utter joy, thinner crowds that leave room for locals, and an opportunity to experience cities in their most authentic light.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Travelers willing to brave the brisk ocean winds are rewarded with quieter beaches, fewer visitors, and generally lower lodging rates.

— Sierra Vandervort, Travel + Leisure, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

Housing shortages sometimes happen when cities can’t issue residential building permits fast enough to keep vacancy rates low and rent high in a secondary market.

— Justin Donald, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The population age 80 and older is expected to grow even faster, more than tripling between 2023 and 2060 to about 545 million.

— Washington Post, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fast

Adjective

These platforms churn out so much content that cancellations come at a higher rate as well, though the streamers don’t have to be nearly as swift in the decision making process, which puts many shows in limbo indefinitely.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
The rebel group’s swift advance in Yemen and attacks on neighboring Saudi Arabia in recent weeks have put the kingdom in an increasingly difficult position, facing the prospect of being drawn into a wider conflict as the US-Iran war drags on.

— Eyad Kourdi, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of swift

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

Definition of galloping

Adjective

Apple is positioning the forthcoming iPhone 18 models as ideal for artificial intelligence because of their speedy chips and the personal data such as calendars and texts that are stored on them.

— Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
The speedy Maatsen, who would normally overlap Hemmings, tucked in instead to stay behind the ball and be in position to stop Forest breaking.

— Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of speedy

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“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapid. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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