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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
UConn, due in large part to swift action by President Radenka Maric, was proactive to stand firm against violence and intimidation, including disciplining several students who crossed the line beyond peaceful protest. Rep. Steve Weir, Hartford Courant, 20 May 2025 The new federal law closes many of those gaps by introducing uniform standards and requiring swift compliance from tech companies. Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 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
  • The 20-year-old centre-back is one of the most exciting defensive prospects around and his move to the Santiago Bernabeu marks the highest point yet of a remarkably rapid rise.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • And who stands to benefit, and who might this rapid shift be hurting?
    Taylor Wilson, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Adverb
  • Per Deadline Hollywood, which first reported the cancellation, viewership for season 3 was still solid but the show slipped out of Nielsen's Top 10 Originals chart quicker than its predecessors, and the decision to cancel ultimately came down to the show's hefty price tag.
    EW.com, EW.com, 23 May 2025
  • Bains needs to play quicker to separate from defenders so he isn’t restricted to the perimeter offensively so often.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • The chippies, pubs and merchandise stalls on Goodison Road are doing brisk business, as fans arrive extra early to soak up precious last memories.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 14 May 2025
  • Adames began jogging around the bases, but his trot soon slowed into a brisk walk.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • And after a third-place finish at the only other race he’s been in this year — the Daytona 500 — who’s to say Johnson can’t be the fastest again?
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025
  • The changes included speedier implementation of the Medicaid work requirements, which will begin in December 2026, rather than January 2029, and a faster rollback of the production tax credits for clean electricity projects, both sought by the conservatives.
    Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Adverb
  • However, this carbon debt can be paid back swiftly.
    Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Putin’s proposal came after more than three months of diplomacy kick-started by Trump, who promised during his campaign to end the devastating war swiftly — though it’s been hard to pull off.
    Mehmet Guzel, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Adverb
  • The latest season of The Voice is almost over, meaning one of the five remaining contestants will soon become the Season 27 champion.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Kendall Myles, 20, was apprehended after a brief foot chase through the French Quarter soon after the escape.
    Stepheny Price , Nate Foy, FOXNews.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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