SWIFT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'swift' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swift are expeditious , fast , fleet , hasty , quick , rapid , and speedy . While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. // returned the ball with one swift stroke

Q: When can 'expeditious' be used instead of 'swift'?

The words expeditious and swift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. // the expeditious handling of an order

Q: How are the words 'fast' and 'rapid' related as synonyms of 'swift'?

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

Q: When would 'fleet' be a good substitute for 'swift'?

The synonyms fleet and swift are sometimes interchangeable, but fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. // fleet runners

Q: When is 'hasty' a more appropriate choice than 'swift'?

The meanings of hasty and swift largely overlap; however, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. // a hasty inspection

Q: In what contexts can 'quick' take the place of 'swift'?

Although the words quick and swift have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. // a quick wit

Q: Where would 'rapid' be a reasonable alternative to 'swift'?

In some situations, the words rapid and swift are roughly equivalent. However, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves. // rapid current

Q: When could 'speedy' be used to replace 'swift'?

While the synonyms speedy and swift are close in meaning, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity. // speedy delivery of mail

swift 1 of 2

adjective

ˈswift

Definition of swift

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swift

2 of 2

adverb

as in quick

with great speed tried to cross the swift-flowing river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective swift contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swift are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and speedy. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

When can expeditious be used instead of swift?

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

the expeditious handling of an order

How are the words fast and rapid related as synonyms of swift?

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

fast horses

When would fleet be a good substitute for swift?

The synonyms fleet and swift are sometimes interchangeable, but fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is hasty a more appropriate choice than swift?

The meanings of hasty and swift largely overlap; however, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

In what contexts can quick take the place of swift?

Although the words quick and swift have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to swift?

In some situations, the words rapid and swift are roughly equivalent. However, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When could speedy be used to replace swift?

While the synonyms speedy and swift are close in meaning, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

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 swift

Adjective

The Lee’s Summit North alum is a swift mover at left tackle, shielding rushers with quick feet and a strong, quick punch in run and pass block. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Doubling down on sanctions Other observers have remained skeptical that the administration ever intended a swift military action in Cuba to bring about regime change. — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Adverb

That trip was referenced in the whistle-blower complaint that sparked the House’s swift-moving impeachment inquiry. — Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019 As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris. — Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019 See All Example Sentences for swift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swift

Adjective

Fire officials said the combination of dry brush and strong winds fueled the blaze's rapid growth.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
The quarterback struggles in camp bring into the realm of possibility Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan seeking an outside backup option off the waiver wire following roster cuts if Ewers doesn’t show rapid improvement.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of rapid

Adverb

In 2023, Diamond Crystal introduced baking salt, a fine salt that dissolves quicker, melting into dough and batters.

— Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Copper became the fastest player in franchise history to score 2,000 points with Phoenix, doing so in 103 games, a game quicker than Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of quick

Adjective

Set physical activity goals and prioritize exercise, including both aerobic activities such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, along with strength training.

— Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
Fredericson recommends simple, everyday activities such as brisk neighborhood walks, gardening, cycling, bodyweight exercises and even parking farther from the entrance at the grocery store.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of brisk

Adverb

Some come so quickly that there’s barely time to process how they were accomplished.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Besides faulty lactose digestion, nonwhite bodies were accused of other failures, too, such as aldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, an inability to digest alcohol quickly.

— Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of quickly

Adjective

That picture-perfect scenario, however, hinges in my mind on how fast USC’s stellar freshman class rounds into form.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
The Horned Frogs’ schedule is set up for a fast start if TCU can avoid early upsets, with November having the potential to produce some high-stakes late season matchups.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of fast

Adverb

The blaze had grown rapidly through the day, driven by gusty winds, low humidity and dry brush.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The episode illustrated the advantages and dangers of the rapidly developing technology—and what business leaders can learn from using AI to help manage a business crisis.

— Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of rapidly

Adverb

The additional personnel — and coordination with Fever, league and arena security and the Chicago Police Department — made Alter feel confident the team could intervene swiftly if Kanter Freedom crossed a line.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
He was acquitted in 2020, but was swiftly rearrested on charges linking him to Turkey’s 2016 coup attempt.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of swiftly

Adverb

For years, America's been in the chokehold of unnecessarily oversized pickup trucks, but recent announcements of new vehicles show that common sense – and more reasonably proportioned utes – may soon prevail.

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026
Robinson was expected to be an upgrade over veteran receiver Robert Woods, who was subsequently traded to the Tennessee Titans soon after the Robinson deal, but wasn’t able to achieve his previous levels of success.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of soon

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swerving

swift

swiftly

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“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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