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

Nino DiCosmo, President of Maritime, Space and Mission Systems at L3Harris, emphasized that the facility will enable the company to meet customer demand with greater speed and scale. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Many advanced driver-assistance systems, or ADAS, can control a vehicle’s speed, braking and steering using cameras, sensors and/or mapping data. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Verb

As the plane sped down the runway, air traffic controllers and a witness on the ground noticed sparks coming from near its wheels. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

According to the National Transportation Safety Board’s official report, all four tires exploded as the plane sped down the runway at 150 miles per hour. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing speed

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