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

What to Know The Revolutionary Guards' (IRGC) warning marks a sharp escalation in Iran's military rhetoric, signaling Tehran's readiness to respond forcefully to any attack. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025

When boys become fathers in Florida (and get divorced), they automatically are awarded 50-50 custody and time sharing with their children, regardless of their readiness or desire for parenthood. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 May 2025

Adjective

Plan to wear a comfortable outfit and be ready to undress from the waist up. —Carrie Madormo, Health, 25 May 2025

However, Simone is not ready or willing to give up her life to care for her estranged father, Bruce (Bill Camp). —Francesca Gariano, People.com, 24 May 2025

Verb

Paramount Pictures is readying to put Edgar Wright’s The Running Man in the starting block with seven months to go before a Nov. 7 debut in theaters. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2025

Although Wyandotte County has yet to see a reported measles outbreak, public health officials are readying public guidance and offering vaccine services as the disease inches north from southwest Kansas. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025

Phrases Containing readiness

• at the ready