Synonyms of speed

speed 1 of 2

noun

ˈspēd 

1

as in velocity

a high rate of movement or performance

we dashed off the remaining paperwork with as much speed as possible so we could leave for the long weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• velocity
• rate
• hurry
• pace
• quickness
• rapidity
• swiftness
• acceleration
• celerity
• speediness
• haste
• fleetness
• rapidness
• fastness
• tempo
• gait
• clip
• drive
• hustle
• precipitation
• rush
• promptness
• alacrity
• expedition
• promptitude
• dispatch
• hastiness
• precipitousness
• warp speed
• expeditiousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• slowness
• sluggishness
• lethargy
• reluctance
• languor
• torpidity
• torpor
• deliberation
• leisureliness
• deliberateness
• languidness
• procrastination
• lateness
• dilatoriness
• pokiness

2

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others

that kind of old-fashioned horror movie is just my speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• favorite
• preference
• cup of tea
• pet
• darling
• minion
• beloved
• fave
• treasure
• dear
• prize
• sweetheart
• jewel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• abomination
• anathema
• bugbear
• bête noire

speed

2 of 2

verb

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly

a bullet train speeding across the lush countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

• race
• hurry
• travel
• rush
• drive
• fly
• trot
• zip
• scurry
• chase
• jump
• run
• buzz
• blow
• scoot
• dart
• dash
• motor
• step
• zoom
• ram
• blast
• tear
• rip
• jog
• breeze
• jet
• scuttle
• whirl
• career
• bolt
• hustle
• bowl
• course
• shoot
• rocket
• hasten
• blaze
• crack (on)
• hare
• belt
• whisk
• hurtle
• barrel
• hump
• hie
• hurl
• gallop
• bundle
• careen
• step on it
• beat it
• rustle
• highball
• get a move on
• make tracks
• bomb
• bustle
• pelt
• nip
• cannonball
• accelerate
• shake a leg
• sprint
• hotfoot (it)
• streak
• flit
• scamper
• quicken
• whiz
• outrun
• beetle
• overtake
• stampede
• step out
• outpace
• outstrip
• catch up
• scud
• arrow
• scuffle
• fast-forward
• beeline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• creep
• crawl
• drag
• lag
• hang (around or out)
• poke
• linger
• dawdle
• loiter
• poke
• shuffle
• tarry
• stroll
• amble
• slow (down or up)
• decelerate
• lumber
• saunter
• plod
• dillydally
• dally

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

The words haste and speed can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of speed

Noun

With its 25-watt speed, this adapter can charge modern smartphones from 0 percent to 50 percent in roughly 30 minutes. — Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2026

Low-speed vehicles are a step above a golf cart but fall short of the capabilities of conventional passenger cars. — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Verb

Comparing speed data from 2024, officials said the number of vehicles traveling 11 mph or more where the cameras are installed has dropped an average of 70%, or about 20,000 fewer speeding vehicles per day. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Helicopter footage captured by local CBS and NBC affiliates showed the blue motorcycle speeding on surface streets, with the rider wearing a mask and often appearing to be talking on his phone, and at least once, standing up on his bike. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing speed

• at speed
• full speed ahead
• speed (up)