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 Katz said the rapid and steep rate movements give investors a chance to buy from the fearful and sell to the greedy. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026 Called AthenaZero, the robotic system was designed to replicate some of the mechanical properties that let humans perform rapid, forceful, and delicate movements. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 Josemar Lauriano Pereira, a 46-year-old lawyer, said that the rapid availability of results helped combat fraud and uncertainty. — ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026 There is another extreme consequence of this rapid stellar core shrinkage. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rapid

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapid

Adjective

Step Back OPay took off in 2019 in Nigeria with ambitions to be a super app that offered various features, including motorcycle taxi bookings, food deliveries, and quick loans.

— Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The crusts are shaped using a crimping technique that, along with a quick baking time at high heat, leads to a unique, varied texture, the website states.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of quick

Adjective

Though the Scandi brand was selling at a brisk pace to her online customers, Stover knew the economics weren’t going to work for the long term if every reorder was saddled with that kind of extra cost.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
The final product is a rousing, brisk, and genuinely inspiring biopic that never feels like homework.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

Desiree Rios | Bloomberg | Getty Images Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack said Monday that tighter monetary policy might be needed to bring down inflation and the central bank should make fast, incremental adjustments.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
That will allow for faster and safer repatriation of the turtles that survive.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of fast

Adjective

That drew a swift rebuke from a bipartisan group of Senators, who wrote a letter to Apple arguing that to do so would imperil national security.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The provincial government’s spokeswoman, Samar Haroon Bilour, praised rescue workers for their swift response.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 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

Because of this, speculation and rumors started to swirl regarding a reunion with Tyreek Hill, the speedy wide receiver who has been working out and hinted at signing with a team soon.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Many are under $100, and some are even eligible for speedy, two-day Prime delivery.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of speedy

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“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapid. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rapid

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