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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
Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025 Because, for good reason, there is little centralized control over pedagogy, there are few swift or coercive ways for a college to intervene. Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2025
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
  • Stay open to rapid communication, travel opportunities, or passionate connections.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In this scenario, the rapid spinning movement of the magnetar alters the gamma ray jet.
    Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Stock up Easton Cowan Amongst the entire Leafs team, Cowan’s stock has risen quicker than any other player from the start of training camp.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Police said a quick-thinking witness closed and locked the door of the synagogue and called the police, preventing the attacker from entering and killing a larger number of people.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Vasilas attributes the brisk business to not having a lot of competition for the kind of service Ted’s Clothiers offers.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Leisurely walking, especially for short distances, may not be enough to get the full potential benefit compared with walking longer distances at a brisker pace.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The conflict has quickly escalated.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Typically, lawmakers resolve government shutdowns quickly.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Europe requires a different standard for fast charging.
    Rebecca A. Fannin, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • According to the reseachers, this unified multirate architecture improves responsiveness and stability by preventing faster subsystems from being held back by slower ones and embedding the jets’ dynamics directly into the prediction horizon.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Fueled by technology, our language adapts to new slang trends more rapidly than ever.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • The news comes roughly three months after KPop Demon Hunters premiered on Netflix, rapidly becoming a pop culture phenomenon.
    Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The small leaf pieces will integrate into the turf and break down swiftly.
    Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Democrats are dug in on extending Obamacare subsidies expiring soon, citing Americans' rising health care costs.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • With no agreement in place, the government will soon begin the arduous process of winding down operations, sending furlough notices, and notifying contractors.
    Nik Popli, Time, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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