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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
Iran sent drones towards Israel in a swift initial response to the multiple strikes that targeted its armed forces and nuclear program, but much bigger retaliation can be expected. Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025 In a swift response to the protests, Trump signed a memorandum and deployed thousands of National Guard troops — and the Marines — to LA to protect federal facilities, ICE and other U.S. government personnel, the administration said. Steve Inskeep, NPR, 12 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
  • The report found that the cladding did not meet fire safety regulations and was the primary reason for the rapid spread of the fire.
    Time, Time, 20 June 2025
Adverb
  • Add in Johnson’s push for Williams to become quicker working through reads and selective with his off-schedule artistry, and there won’t be much time for the quarterback to catch his breath and decompress.
    Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
  • Zero-to-60 times are one of the oldest metrics for judging performance and have gotten quicker by leaps and bounds since 1957, for example, when Car and Driver timed a Corvette going from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds—triple the time of the C8 Corvette ZR1.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Luis Costa, global head of EM sovereign credit at Citigroup Global Markets, signaled the muted reaction could be, in part, attributed to hopes of a brisk resolution to the conflict.
    Ruxandra Iordache,Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 June 2025
  • Related article Prevent low back pain with this simple lifestyle change The findings showed that as the amount of daily walking increased, the risk of chronic low back pain decreased, and preliminary evidence revealed moderate or brisk walking was more protective than a slow pace, Pocovi said.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • On Friday, Verstappen was the fastest driver in FP1.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • Taco Bell joins 2025 chicken wrap battle The addition of the Crispy Chicken Tacos and Burritos to Taco Bell's menu comes as various chains compete in what appears to be a fast food chicken wrap battle.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 14 June 2025
Adverb
  • Back in 2020, the company garnered attention with an ambitious plan to reduce oil production by 40% while swiftly increasing investments in renewable energy.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Two people swiftly cut the box open, removed all the packaging from my place, and unraveled the mattress on my bed frame.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 20 June 2025
Adverb
  • Protests soon spread to cities including Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose and San Diego.
    Bethany Wales, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2025
  • Water depth - The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.

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