Synonyms of readiness

readiness 1 of 3

noun

as in preparation

the state of being ready to act when the need arises

With the storm fast approaching, local officials assured the public of the readiness of first responders.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preparation
• receptivity
• receptiveness
• preparedness
• sensitivity
• awareness
• attentiveness
• mindfulness
• consciousness
• aliveness
• carefulness
• vigilance
• wariness
• alertness
• cautiousness
• care
• watchfulness
• alert
• chariness
• heedfulness
• watch
• red alert
• qui vive

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unreadiness
• unpreparedness
• negligence
• carelessness
• inattention
• remissness
• inattentiveness
• heedlessness
• abstraction
• distraction
• daze
• daydreaming
• absentmindedness
• unwariness

ready

2 of 3

adjective

ˈre-dē 

1

as in go

being in a state of fitness for some experience or action

after studying for months, she felt ready for the bar exam

Synonyms & Similar Words

• go
• prepared
• fit
• ripe
• set
• armed
• primed
• conditioned
• qualified
• trained
• fortified
• braced
• steeled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unprepared
• unready
• underprepared
• unqualified
• untrained
• half-baked
• flat-footed
• half-cocked

2

as in willing

having a desire or inclination (as for a specified course of action)

I'm ready to help, if I can

Synonyms & Similar Words

• willing
• glad
• inclined
• prepared
• minded
• disposed
• excited
• amenable
• game
• obliging
• eager
• fain
• prone
• cooperative
• responsive
• obedient
• receptive
• compliant
• favorable
• prompt
• submissive
• swift
• enthusiastic
• desirous
• agreeable
• predisposed
• quick
• accommodating
• enthused

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwilling
• reluctant
• disinclined
• loath
• averse
• unamenable
• reticent
• loth
• loathe

3

as in quick

having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

had a ready response to every one of her objections regarding the feasibility of the plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quick
• willing
• immediate
• swift
• prompt
• responsive
• expeditious
• alert
• rapid
• eager
• keen
• brisk
• fast
• receptive
• alacritous
• clever
• instant
• instantaneous
• summary
• smart
• sharp
• speedy
• lightning
• apt
• rattling
• breathless
• fleet
• whirlwind
• snappy
• rapid-fire
• breakneck
• fleet-footed
• ready-witted
• hit-and-run
• quick-witted
• sharp-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unresponsive
• slow
• lazy
• leisurely
• crawling
• sluggish
• dragging
• lagging
• creeping
• unhurried
• tardy
• laggard
• pokey
• slothful
• dilatory
• idle
• poking
• dallying
• dormant
• inactive
• poky
• logy
• inert
• lazyish
• dillydallying
• loggy
• slowish
• dawdling

4

as in easy

involving minimal difficulty or effort

we're hoping you have a ready solution to our networking problem

Synonyms & Similar Words

• easy
• smooth
• simple
• cheap
• quick
• snap
• effortless
• painless
• light
• fluent
• royal
• straightforward
• soft
• fluid
• facile
• downhill
• uncomplicated
• hands-down
• clear
• obvious
• manifest
• evident
• mindless
• apparent
• transparent
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• unmistakable
• distinct
• unchallenging
• clear-cut
• idiotproof
• plain
• patent
• palpable
• open-and-shut
• perspicuous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difficult
• hard
• tough
• demanding
• rough
• severe
• formidable
• stiff
• arduous
• killer
• strenuous
• exacting
• laborious
• labored
• murderous
• grueling
• herculean
• troublesome
• painful
• toilsome
• stressful
• onerous
• burdensome
• exhausting
• gruelling
• involved
• oppressive
• complex
• toilful
• complicated
• problematic
• problematical
• intricate
• taxing
• knotty
• abstruse
• recondite

ready

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to prepare

to make competent (as by training, skill, or ability) for a particular office or function

this advanced course should ready him for college

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prepare
• equip
• qualify
• enable
• train
• season
• fit
• adapt
• adjust
• teach
• condition
• shape
• accustom
• authorize
• tailor
• empower
• entitle
• groom
• educate
• habituate
• school
• instruct
• indoctrinate
• tutor

2

as in to arrange

to make ready in advance

we can ready the desserts for the party a day in advance

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prepare
• arrange
• furnish
• provide
• equip
• prep
• fit
• lay
• fix
• fortify
• groom
• train
• prime
• steel
• supply
• educate
• gather
• mount
• instruct
• brace
• school
• set
• gird
• boot (up)
• arm
• indoctrinate
• predispose
• gear up
• spread
• draft
• tutor
• incline
• warm (up)
• draw up
• batten
• outfit
• frame
• forearm

3

as in to fortify

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

the basketball players sat quietly in the locker room, readying themselves for the final game of the season

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fortify
• brace
• strengthen
• nerve
• steel
• poise
• psych (up)
• forearm
• encourage
• reinforce
• enforce
• arm
• bolster
• harden
• sustain
• inspire
• season
• inure
• rouse
• comfort
• support
• buoy (up)
• toughen
• stir
• rally
• prop (up)
• boost
• reenforce
• buttress
• embolden
• hearten
• cheer (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shake
• discourage
• daunt
• unnerve
• dishearten
• demoralize
• soften
• undermine
• weaken
• undercut
• psych (out)
• sap
• tire
• dispirit
• prostrate
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• enervate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ready contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ready are apt, prompt, and quick. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

When is it sensible to use apt instead of ready?

The meanings of apt and ready largely overlap; however, 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 ready?

While in some cases nearly identical to ready, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is quick a more appropriate choice than ready?

The words quick and ready can be used in similar contexts, but quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes

a keen quick mind

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of readiness

Noun

But season one degenerated into self-indulgent performance art when Fielder chose to place himself at the center of the action as part of an extended exploration of his readiness to be a parent. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Johnson’s less-than-ideal speed is better suited to zone coverage, yet Fins like his size and start-now readiness. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Each of them was based on an agreement that McVeigh's comments would not be published until the defense decided when, or if, their client was ready to tell his story publicly. —Kevin Johnson, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025

But Astoria isn’t ready to give up the hunt just yet. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

Verb

Patti Smith is readying the release of a new memoir, with Bread of Angels set to arrive in November. —Tyler Jenke, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025

Villa Aurora was readying for the 30th anniversary of its residency program. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing readiness

• at the ready