Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective expeditious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of expeditious are fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," 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 expeditious?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When is fleet a more appropriate choice than expeditious?

In some situations, the words fleet and expeditious are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of expeditious?

While the synonyms hasty and expeditious are close in meaning, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is it sensible to use quick instead of expeditious?

The synonyms quick and expeditious are sometimes interchangeable, but quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of expeditious?

The words rapid and expeditious can be used in similar contexts, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

Where would speedy be a reasonable alternative to expeditious?

While in some cases nearly identical to expeditious, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When might swift be a better fit than expeditious?

Although the words swift and expeditious have much in common, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

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 expeditious An easy breakfast or expeditious snack, a smoothie is the deliciously healthy cousin to an ice cream shake. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024 But that would have been awkward and not the most expeditious way of accomplishing the task. Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2024 Separately, Creech has two state appeals that were argued on an expeditious timeline before the Idaho Supreme Court on Monday. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2024 Responding to this critique, some government proposals encourage expeditious AI development. Alondra Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 12 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for expeditious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expeditious
Adjective
  • But don’t be too quick to go for short-term solutions.
    Ray Titus, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Austin-Healey was quick to capitalize on the Sprite’s sporting success.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The reaction from some prominent Trump supporters on social media to the document release, particularly the lack of new information, was swift and damning, with lots of criticism for the right-wing influencers involved — but much of the opprobrium reserved for Bondi.
    Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Flexibility enables swift adjustments to changing circumstances, ensuring continuity and competitiveness.
    Jochen Schwenk, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Paradise was an immediate fan favorite, and Hulu wasted no time announcing that the edge-of-your-seat story would continue.
    Dana Feldman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There were no immediate reports Thursday of any Starship wreckage falling over populated areas.
    Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 7 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Expeditious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expeditious. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on expeditious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!