speed (up)

verb

Definition of speed (up)next
as in to accelerate
to cause to move or proceed fast or faster we have to speed up production if we are ever going to make the deadline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed (up)
  1. accelerate
  2. rush
  3. push
Verb
  • Engineers believe exposing robots to everyday activities such as cooking will accelerate their development for applications beyond manufacturing, including hospitality, retail, healthcare, and domestic assistance.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
  • This transformation is not the product of any single administration, although recent political polarization has accelerated it.
    — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of accelerate
Verb
  • Since 2022, the Falcons haven’t finished worse than 10th in the NFL in rushing — and their new offense, led by coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, suggests that won’t soon change.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Spain’s technical staff and substitutes rushed off the bench to protest.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of rush
Verb
  • Paredes didn’t listen, electing instead to push Eric Garcia in the throat.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • Argentina pushed for an equalizer late but couldn’t find the net.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of push
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.

Browse Nearby Words

speeds (up)
speed (up)
speedy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speed (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speed%20%28up%29. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All