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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
The Kinahans’ retaliation was swift. Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025 The robbery, which prompted the swift evacuation of visitors and the museum’s closure for the rest of the day, is only the latest in a series of troubles to befall the venerable institution. Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 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
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The rapid growth of Kalshi, which is federally regulated by the CFTC as a futures exchange, has already tested much of the legal betting status quo.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Michele Di Gregorio made a stunning double save and was only beaten when a Vinicius Junior shot came back off the post and Jude Bellingham reacted quicker to it than Lloyd Kelly.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The material is a durable 70-denier nylon taffeta that’s supremely soft, breathable, cooling, and quick-drying.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Zone 2 cardio is moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or cycling—done at about 60% to 70% of your max heart rate.
    Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The 12-time Academy Award nominee and the model both bundled up for brisk weather, as both Cooper and Hadid wore coats, sunglasses and Cooper capped a beanie over his head.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Oselmo attempted to flee the area by jumping from a second story window, but was taken quickly into custody by deputy marshals, the release states.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Union Pacific quickly lasered in on Norfolk Southern, which — wary of being left out of what might be endgame consolidation in US carriers — quickly agreed to negotiate exclusively with Union Pacific.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Raptors’ 34-11 advantage in fast-break points was the biggest reason for that.
    Eric Koreen, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The Fix Our Forests Act will help to unleash the conservation prowess of ranchers by limiting frivolous litigation and streamlining government processes to reduce fuel loads on the landscape at a much faster pace.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The 35-year-old Olympic gold medalist has rapidly climbed to the top of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC.
    Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Part of a rapidly-shrinking group, Jimenez is one of just 5,094 living World War II veterans in California as of this year, per The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Cory’s appointment comes swiftly after Thomas Benski’s Lumina Media made a seven-figure investment in Arcade, taking a minority stake.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But Morel’s commitment to peak seasonality, upbeat atmosphere and considerate service swiftly solidified its rightful place on this list.
    Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • It will soon be connected to Oaxaca City next year for easy access.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Revolutionary groups, often recruited from universities and the intelligentsia, were soon carrying out terrorist attacks in the cities.
    Karl Ove Knausgaard, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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