swift 1 of 2

swift

2 of 2

adverb

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 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently voted to reinstate bear hunting — and the anti-hunting backlash was swift. Maria Davidson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025 In March that year, the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle praised Moore for his swift and immediate response in the days after the tragedy and months after as the Port of Baltimore reopened. Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Adverb
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 By The Numbers 5 The forecast for Colorado’s 2019 whitewater rafting season: Rad, thanks to epic snowfall this winter that will likely spell swift-moving rivers. Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, 19 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for swift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swift
Adjective
  • But over the decades, jobs vanished, factories closed, and industry's hum was replaced by the lure of cheap labor overseas and rapid automation at home.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • 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
Adverb
  • Zero-to-60 times are one of the oldest metrics for judging performance and have gotten quicker by leaps and bounds since 1957, for example, when Car and Driver timed a Corvette going from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds—triple the time of the C8 Corvette ZR1.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
  • But incorporating a mid-zone run completely changed the Hawkeyes’ ground game, enabling first-team All-American running back Kaleb Johnson to get vertical quicker.
    Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Adjective
  • The barn jacket makes for a stylish layering piece, which is perfect to bring along for cool nights around the bonfire or brisk boat rides.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Mike Dunleavy Reveals Big Offseason Roster Goal Now, after a brisk five-game defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves (mostly without their best player, Stephen Curry, who went down in Game 1 with a hamstring strain), the Warriors face an uncertain offseason.
    Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (a condition with lightheadedness and a fast heart rate when changing to a standing position) Types of Migraine The two main types of migraine are:4 Migraine without aura.
    Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
  • The fast food chain has 103 restaurants in North America and more than 1,700 worldwide with more stores, like the Elk Grove location, planned to open, according to the company website.
    Marcus D. Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
Adverb
  • In its latest move, the Trump administration banned Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students – a decision swiftly halted by a federal judge hours after the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university filed suit.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
Adverb
  • The decline of men and concomitant rise of women in Democratic voting ranks has been observed for decades and is not expected to change drastically soon.
    Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2025
  • Few Floridians will soon forget the night in October 2024 when Hurricane Milton ripped apart large sections of the roof of the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field, with winds estimated to have reached 120 mph.
    Jenna DiPaolo, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on swift

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!