fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fastnext
1
as in quickly
with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

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2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast How to pronounce fast (audio)
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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2
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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3
as in tight
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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4
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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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

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6
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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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

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fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

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fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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For
Try This
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
Instead, lenders can use AI to help do their work faster, more accurately and at lower cost. —Marius Silvasan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 This is the season when new restaurants open faster than anyone can keep up. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Loveland is fast enough to create separation but sturdy enough to withstand tacklers and gain yards after the catch. —David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025 Police believe one of the men was renting hotel rooms around Oakland and using multiple vehicles while joining with at least two others to target fast food restaurants around the Bay Area. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
The 40 days of the fast is a benchmark and could be extended, Bryant said. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 After those observing Ramadan broke their fast with a date, some fruit and water, Ghumrawi led all attendees in a traditional Maghrib, or sunset, prayer. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
But fast forward 25 years and the cruise industry has changed dramatically. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The finale fast forwards to an obscured view of the never-remarried, aged Spencer lying down by his wife's grave. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
  1. quite
  2. rapid
  3. loyal
  4. tight
  5. deceptive
  6. sturdy
  7. short
  8. quick
Adverb
  • So there’s a mutual agreement between the two, or mutual benefits, that are quite tolerable—or even pleasurable.
    — Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The bowls are quite deep and narrow and aren’t super easy for cats to reach, which could cause whisker fatigue.
    — Molly Higgins, Wired News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • Defending the Intercontinental Championship on such a grand stage is a testament to his rapid ascent within the company.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Since taking office, the Trump administration has implemented rapid, significant changes to United States immigration policy.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Clearly, The Wine Group values the loyal followings these brands currently enjoy.
    — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The network specializes in developing, distributing, and marketing talk radio shows that become appointment listening events for loyal audiences.
    — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Some regulators might see stablecoins as competition to or complementary with CBDCs, leading to either tighter restrictions or new forms of partnership.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Traction alopecia Anything that involves repeatedly pulling your hair into a tight style should be avoided.
    — Shannon Lawlor, Glamour, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Battering ram with deceptive speed (4.51), but struggles catching the ball.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to his first-term tariffs, Trump also filed a formal World Trade Organization case against China, alleging deceptive trade practices and intellectual property theft.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • It’s built from a sturdy metal base with a solid wood and plywood frame and has a swivel design that rotates 360 degrees.
    — Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But in her 2017 review of the first season, New Yorker critic Emily Nussbaum (who won the Pulitzer Prize just a year earlier) framed her critique in the sturdy housing of history.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • But the short answer either way was: Good God, yes!
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The roster of those who have fallen short magnifies the challenge.
    — Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of short
Adjective
  • Telegraphed data arrived in the morning, and FitzRoy made quick extrapolations from his knowledge of storm theories, sending forecasts an hour later.
    — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Polite start, quick stall Even after Trump was elected on the promise of high tariffs, relations with Beijing got off to a polite start.
    — Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of quick

Browse Nearby Words

fashions
fast
fastback
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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Nglish: Translation of fast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fast

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