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 Probably, yes, but after missing out on Bryan Mbeumo, Newcastle reverted to a long-term target who is two-footed, boasts rapid pace and has huge room for development. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025 According to investigators, the devices were concentrated within 35 miles of the global meeting, resulting in a rapid response from authorities working to dismantle the network. Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025 Global Challenge But the challenge posed to global competitors by the rapid growth of China’s tech sector is evident across the region. Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 On the film side, Alia observed how the Ibero-American audiovisual industry has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rapid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rapid
Adjective
  • Bitcoin is up about 25% this year, rising as more Wall Street institutions embrace the cryptocurrency and global investors begin to view it as a reputable portfolio allocation and not just a quick trading vehicle.
    Fred Imbert, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Its silicone design sits comfortably on the face, while quick preset modes make treatments simple to fit into daily life.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Vasilas attributes the brisk business to not having a lot of competition for the kind of service Ted’s Clothiers offers.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Leisurely walking, especially for short distances, may not be enough to get the full potential benefit compared with walking longer distances at a brisker pace.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Europe requires a different standard for fast charging.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • According to the reseachers, this unified multirate architecture improves responsiveness and stability by preventing faster subsystems from being held back by slower ones and embedding the jets’ dynamics directly into the prediction horizon.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • About his last Kentucky Derby appearance and his 'swift' horseLooking for a free mini puzzle?
    Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Berhalter set Chicago up to sit deep and then hit on the counter and the approach worked superbly in the first half with Miami enjoying plenty of the ball outside the Fire box but then ripped apart far too easily by swift breaks.
    The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 1 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
  • Rattler faked a handoff and then launched a deep pass to speedy wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who turned safety Tyler Nubin turned around.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • The Fifth Amendment protects against double jeopardy or being tried twice for the same crime, while the Sixth Amendment guarantees fair and speedy trials.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rapid. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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