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swift

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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
Signs of reviving inflation have meant that a September rate cut looks less and less likely, and with most of the big events out the way the time looks ripe for a rerun of last August's swift outburst of volatility. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025 Since tools, disassembly, and spare parts weren't an option, the next best thing was the high-tech equivalent of giving the camera a swift kick. David Szondy july 31, New Atlas, 31 July 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
  • Sustain small farms amid global competition • Promote transparency and ethics in coffee sourcing In a world increasingly dominated by industrial scale and rapid production, Kona coffee companies should work to remain a symbol of craftsmanship, care and community.
    Jean Orlowski, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Trained in marksmanship, rapid deployment, ambushes, surveillance, and psychological operations, Los Zetas used overt military force to consolidate control over most of the Texas border and the Gulf Coast port of Veracruz.
    Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
Adverb
  • Williams must continue to learn a new offense, become more comfortable operating under center and refine his rhythm and timing to consistently get rid of the football quicker.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
  • Bregman skipped a rehab assignment to return quicker as the team enters an important stretch in the schedule against a slew of winning teams, including Tampa Bay, which began the day just ahead of Boston in the division standings.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • Making a brisk morning walk in the sun part of your daily routine can be a grounding, enjoyable experience.
    Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025
  • When measuring the nation's collective fitness, the good news is Americans are more likely to take a brisk walk, play pickleball or lift weights.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Also, call 911 for any major trauma and/or concern for internal bleeding, inability to keep fluids down, or potential signs of shock (e.g., cold, clammy skin, fast breathing, or a weak or fast heartbeat).
    Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 2 Aug. 2025
  • His second pitch was a 102.8 mph, tied with one that Andres Muñoz threw on Aug. 10, 2019, as the fastest by a Padres pitcher since at least 2015.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Medical staff responded immediately, administering fluids and swiftly transferring him to our Doral clinic for more extensive care.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • Express Entry, the digital intake portal, allows provinces and employers to select candidates swiftly.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Adverb
  • The two sides did not find enough common ground, and soon after, Crow-Armstrong blossomed into an All-Star and one of the sport’s most magnetic personalities.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 31 July 2025
  • Teens sparked the aesthetic, part skater, part punk, part hip hop star, which college kids soon remixed by layering streetwear with campus-specific staples.
    Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.

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