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speedy

2 of 2

adjective

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speedy recovery
quick recovery
expeditious recovery
swift recovery
timely recovery
complete recovery
a speedy return
an expedient return
a rapid return
a hasty return
a prompt return
a swift return
a speedy delivery
a fast delivery
a snappy delivery
a fast-track delivery
a rapid delivery
a timely delivery
a speedy implementation
a hurried implementation
a streamlined implementation
a vigorous implementation
a smooth implementation
an efficient implementation
a speedy conclusion
an accelerated conclusion
a hurried conclusion
a swift conclusion
an immediate conclusion
a sudden conclusion

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective speedy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When can expeditious be used instead of speedy?

The words expeditious and speedy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

How do fast and rapid relate to one another, in the sense of speedy?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace speedy?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of speedy?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is quick a more appropriate choice than speedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to speedy?

The synonyms rapid and speedy are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When might swift be a better fit than speedy?

While the synonyms swift and speedy are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of speediness
Adjective
Because Brand demanded a speedy trial, the proceedings got started much more quickly than is typical for murder trials, leaving prosecutors to rush to expedite evidence production and prepare witnesses just a little over a year after the attack. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 The speedy Haliburton sprinted down the court and got past the arc, but was met by Mitchell Robinson. Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 For One Medical, this means offering same-day appointments, speedy callbacks or handling many issues online versus the phone, so the patient doesn’t have to wait on hold or wait for a callback. Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025 The deals also married with Brighton’s global recruitment model of attracting young players via a clear and potentially speedy pathway into the first team, with an expectation of not standing in the way of further career progression at the right price and in the right circumstances. Andy Naylor, New York Times, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for speediness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speediness
Noun
  • So things like baseball pitching, the difference in speed, there may be a 40% to 50% difference.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 29 May 2025
  • His speed should flourish in Florida’s up-tempo system and take some of the pressure off Princeton transfer Xaivian Lee to try to be Walter Clayton.
    The Athletic College Basketball, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • The consequences of warming will probably vary widely across the world, the report found: rapid thawing of Arctic sea ice, drier seasons in the Amazon, excess rain in places such as Alaska, northern Europe and the Sahel in north-central Africa.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
  • Stocks covered in Thursday’s rapid fire at the end of the video were: e.l.f.
    Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • Directing the movie in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s Gaza invasion, Lapid had to work under guerrilla conditions, outsourcing his financing needs to France, and finding additional support from the independent financing body the Israel Film Fund.
    Eric Kohn, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties on the ground.
    Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Related – his fastball velocity is down to an average of 92.4 mph this season, a full 2 mph lost since 2023.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
  • Get serious about pipeline velocity, win rates and quota attainment.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Shooting victim Sarah Milgrim remembered as 'a light' who fought antisemitism Israeli Embassy shooting: See the scene Real quick All American Rejects singer explains what's up with viral pop-up shows.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Eventually, after getting their runner-up medals, United’s team did applaud the crowd during a quick circle of their half of the pitch.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Suspect Elias Rodriguez, of Chicago, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in a swift reaction to the apparent antisemitic attack.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • This surge reflects growing investor confidence in NuScale’s distinctive position within the nuclear energy industry, propelled by rising electricity demand amid the AI boom and the swift progression of global electrification.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • That's much faster than most tablets, many of which require two or more hours to recharge.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
  • And after a third-place finish at the only other race he’s been in this year — the Daytona 500 — who’s to say Johnson can’t be the fastest again?
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Now, many of those same fans have transferred their attention to And Just Like That…, its similar if slightly more absurd and soapy sequel spin-off, which thankfully contains just as many prime fashion moments and timely conversation starters.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 30 May 2025
  • Here are six standout installations and pavilions that tackled the timely topic of sustainability, circularity and climate change with flair.
    Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Speediness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speediness. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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