fast 1 of 4

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2

fast

2 of 4

adjective

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2
3
4
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

fast

4 of 4

verb

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a fast response
a quick response
a timely response
a speedy response
a rapid response
a same-day response
a fast pace
an accelerated pace
a swift pace
a rapid pace
a quick pace
a frantic pace
a fast track
a focused track
an expeditious track
a quick track
a rapid track
an advanced track
a fast service
a quick-response service
an efficient service
a prompt service
an instant service
a timely service
a fast growth
a rapid growth
a drastic growth
a swift growth
a sharp growth
a strong growth

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

The words expeditious and fast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
Look for sales: Start at the sales rack With summer fast approaching, retailers are likely to advertise Memorial Day sales. Julia Doyle, CBS News, 13 May 2025 During the fast, Target’s stock prices have sunk, seeing its biggest drop in four years at $88.73 per share in the beginning of April, from $266.38 a share in November 2021. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, like so much in the women’s health space, a disproportionate amount of the advice is weight loss-related, involving food restriction, fasting, and exercise. Time, 26 June 2025 Everyone raises a glass without hesitation except Riri, who can’t get out of Hood’s headquarters fast enough. Stacia Brown, Vulture, 26 June 2025
Noun
Earth is expected to spin slightly faster on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025 The Series 10 is also thinner, lighter, easier to wear, and charges faster than previous models. Adrienne So, Wired News, 10 July 2025
Verb
The destination’s Island Eats program allows each guest to get one free meal at fast casual venues – many come with a side and cookie – or a 25% discount on an entree at a full-service restaurant. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 21 July 2025 The short-form streaming series will deliver a fast, fresh approach to news coverage. Doc Louallen, ABC News, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
Adverb
  • But nothing quite compares to the beauty of the Greek Islands, which make for a picture-perfect retirement destination.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
  • But there quite clearly remains a lot of work to do.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Excessive drinking, eating, and urinating or weight changes in children: See a provider if your child is suddenly drinking, eating, or urinating more than usual, or if there’s a rapid change in weight.
    Barbie Cervoni, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025
  • Trump had for months resisted pressure from Kyiv and NATO allies to turn the screw on Putin, engaging directly with Russia and distancing from Ukraine in the hopes that smoothing U.S. relations with Moscow would bring about a rapid end to the war.
    Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is the first time a studio has put tickets for sale this early in advance, but considering Nolan has a loyal army of fans large enough to sack a city, there certainly won’t be any shortage of uptake.
    Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • Everyone and everything must be personally loyal and accountable to him.
    Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the party was especially focused on reforming public finance, calling for strict economy in expenditures and even tighter limits on taxation.
    Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Kick your legs in small up-and-down fluttering motions while keeping your lower back flat and abs tight throughout.
    Jakob Roze, Health, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Amazon has prevailed in a class-action lawsuit that accused it of engaging in deceptive trade practices.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 19 July 2025
  • Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office sent CBZ and its constituent companies several subpoenas in September as investigators probed the chronically unsafe conditions of the companies’ properties, as well as allegations from tenants that CBZ had engaged in insurance fraud and deceptive practices.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • That’s where Baker and his team got the idea to find the sturdiest survivors and interbreed them with their Florida siblings.
    Alex Harris July 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025
  • The puppeteers then worked from the artist’s sculptures to make sturdier marionettes for performance.
    Ben Miller Laetitia Vançon, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • For beginners, Bravo recommends starting with short sessions and using a handle for support while your body adapts.
    Jordan Galloway, SELF, 15 July 2025
  • Families can also listen to short episodes of the Cow Tales Podcast and find more secret missions.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Raspberry Bites: Place a single white chocolate chip inside a raspberry for a quick, indulgent treat.
    Christina Manian, Health, 21 July 2025
  • Cutting the butter and cream cheese into smaller pieces and scattering them on top helps the pieces melt into the corn at a quicker and more even pace than if left whole.
    Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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