fleet 1 of 2

noun

Definition of fleetnext
as in convoy
a group of vehicles traveling together or under one management a fleet of buses rolling down the highway

Synonyms & Similar Words

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fleet

2 of 2

adjective

as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a jewel thief said to be light of heart and fleet of foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fleet contrast with its synonyms?

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

fleet runners

When could expeditious be used to replace fleet?

In some situations, the words expeditious and fleet are roughly equivalent. However, 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 fleet?

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

fast horses

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of fleet?

While in some cases nearly identical to fleet, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fleet?

The meanings of quick and fleet largely overlap; however, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of fleet?

The synonyms rapid and fleet are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

In what contexts can speedy take the place of fleet?

Although the words speedy and fleet have much in common, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to fleet?

The words swift and fleet can be used in similar contexts, but 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 fleet
Noun
Estonia said that a Russian military jet violated its airspace on May 13 after the Estonian Navy tried to stop the tanker Jaguar, believed to be in Moscow's shadow fleet that circumvents oil sanctions. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025 Improving idling times across the fleet during loading and unloading through technological advancements and educational efforts among our drivers. —Gary Occhiogrosso, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
Her star-wattage smile sets the tone for the friendly, fleet front-of-house staff. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2024 Car rental companies divested themselves of many of their fleet cars in the early days of the pandemic, and were not able to quickly replenish them due to microchip shortages and supply chain problems among automakers. —William Thornton | [email protected], al, 23 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for fleet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fleet
  1. convoy
  2. rapid
  3. armada
  4. brisk
  5. caravan
  6. fast
  7. flotilla
  8. quick
Noun
  • Lynch allowed one run in 2 ⅔ innings, but the convoy of relief arms faltered down the stretch.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
  • When local security teams, backed by Hamas, arrived to secure the convoy, Hamas’ Government Media Office said multiple Israeli strikes targeted the site, killing six.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Definition of convoy
Adjective
  • But over the decades, jobs vanished, factories closed, and industry's hum was replaced by the lure of cheap labor overseas and rapid automation at home.
    — Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • However, no big promises are being made about throwing a lot of money at a rapid rise.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Definition of rapid
Noun
  • There, Sith cultists had been working to keep Palpatine's vision for a New Empire alive by building an unstoppable armada.
    — Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
  • Soon each of us had a small aerial armada of paper airplanes in myriad shapes.
    — Michael Monson, Christian Science Monitor, 21 May 2025
Definition of armada
Adjective
  • Examples include moderate or brisk walking, water aerobics, doubles tennis, slow cycling, or ballroom dancing.
    — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 May 2025
  • The sun peeked out, but brisk winds were blowing and temperatures only climbed to the high 40s near the lakefront.
    — Susan DeGrane, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
Definition of brisk
Noun
  • Exhausted and piqued after overhearing a patronizing conversation about David, Ester leaves in the caravan, taking her son on an impromptu drive, during which they are joined by livewire free spirit Zuza (Juliana Brutovska).
    — Catherine Bray, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • One of Fred’s first victims was Ann McFall, a woman who lived with Fred in his caravan and was pregnant with his first child.
    — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Definition of caravan
Adjective
  • Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) (a condition with lightheadedness and a fast heart rate when changing to a standing position) Types of Migraine The two main types of migraine are:4 Migraine without aura.
    — Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
  • The White House has also called for faster regulatory approval for reactors – including small modular reactors.
    — Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 3 June 2025
Definition of fast
Noun
  • Beyond the event’s motoryachts, a flotilla of sailing vessels will be moored in the harbor.
    — Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
  • The flotillas of seals and sea lions plying Puget Sound today are a conservation success story.
    — Cheryl Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 May 2025
Definition of flotilla
Adjective
  • No matter how small your business, here is a quick blueprint for strengthening your defense against common cyber threats: Start with the basics.
    — Harry Kazakian, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The original rat killer Published April 25, 2007 With one quick flick of his wrist, Scott Mellanby felled a rodent and became part of South Florida sports lore.
    — Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Definition of quick

Browse Nearby Words

flees
fleet
fleet-footed
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Cite this Entry

“Fleet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fleet. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fleet

Nglish: Translation of fleet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fleet

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