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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
Few drug classes undergo such continuous surveillance and are subject to such swift corrective action when genuine risks emerge. Jake Scott, The Conversation, 26 June 2025 Her assessment was met with support, swift action was taken, apologies were made and the images were removed. Callie Rennison, Denver Post, 25 June 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
  • Last year, there were 34 incidents of rapid intensification -- when a storm gains at least 35 mph in 24 hours -- which is about twice the average and causes forecasting problems, according to the hurricane center.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
  • New Mexico's Governor Responds A federal emergency declaration was issued by New Mexico's governor on June 17 in response to the Trout Fire's rapid advance.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
Adverb
  • So being able to channel that going forward, he’s got some of that Cam Spencer crazy competitiveness, he’s got to learn to channel it like Cam, go from cursing and slamming the ball to getting back on task quicker.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025
  • The air rotor creates a powerful swirl of air, while the cylinder body design means that air flows more efficiently for quicker drying and sterilization.
    Olivia Campbell, Parents, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • The finish is brisk with balanced acidity and a soft texture.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • Examples of beneficial exercise include brisk walking, running, or cycling.
    Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, President Donald Trump's new aim at Federal Reserve Chairman Powell may also accelerate bets for faster rate cuts.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • California’s budget is not limitless, and a good program should not be measured by how fast it’s depleted.
    Roger Niello, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025
Adverb
  • Intelligence Explosion On The Way To AGI The moonshot path entails a sudden and generally unexpected radical breakthrough that swiftly transforms conventional AI into AGI.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The combination of Prevost’s formal but reformist education and long fieldwork among people with very little but each other to insulate them from hardship was perhaps what drew Pope Francis to swiftly raise his standing at the Vatican as the Pontiff saw the dying of the light.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Adverb
  • Other liberty trees soon arose, and patriots often gathered beneath the branches seeking wisdom and support.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • Please check back again soon for the recorded video. LIVE VIDEO TO BEGIN AFTER AD Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Use up and down arrows to change volume, and spacebar or enter to toggle mute.
    Dhruv Mehrotra, Wired News, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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