speed 1 of 2

speed

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition
paid bills with dispatch

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

The words haste and speed can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

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 speed
Noun
Dillow caught glimpses of Cooper-Smith’s speed during physical education classes in middle school. Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 The platform analyzes daily phone usage and stats like keystroke speed, pressure, consistency, reaction times. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Verb
But when the officer switched on their lights and sirens, Allen sped up and wouldn’t pull over, kicking off a pursuit that went onto Interstate 235, police said. Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025 The two occupants of the jet ski stopped and started to turn back, but then sped away after apparently realizing Moore was injured. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for speed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed
Noun
  • Get serious about pipeline velocity, win rates and quota attainment.
    Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Related – his fastball velocity is down to an average of 92.4 mph this season, a full 2 mph lost since 2023.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • This cookie, made with a deliciously crispy exterior of cornflakes, has a perfectly sweet interior thanks to maraschino cherries—a forever childhood favorite.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
  • The consistent betting favorite to win the 2025 WWE women’s Money in the Bank match is, in fact, Naomi, who just so happens to be the best choice, too.
    Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • This time, the Stig (aka Ben Collins) raced a Praga Bohema, a car that produces less than half the power produced by modern-day hypercars.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 June 2025
  • The Russian, who was one of the pre-tournament favorites, raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set but cracked after a missed backhand gave Boisson a hold of serve.
    Manasi Pathak, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Communities with higher vaccination rates have fewer opportunities to spread the virus.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • In simple terms, Gueye is a prominent presence off the ball, performing a large volume of actions, and doing so with a high success rate.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Snag a pair before the sale ends on May 26 at 8 a.m. Eastern, and hurry, because popular styles and sizes are sure to fly off the (virtual) shelves.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Aunt Phoebe hurries the girls home — to their residences and to the Red Center — before any cloak-red blood gets spilled.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • The ban, which goes into effect on Monday, bars travel to the United States by citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
    Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 5 June 2025
  • At the time, Michael, one of the five children born to Nelson Rockefeller, one-time governor of New York, and his wife, Mary, had traveled to the island of New Guinea to collect art and artifacts.
    Liz McNeil, People.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Questions rushed through my head: What are my clothes going to look like?
    Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
  • Medics rushed Ellis to Jamaica Hospital but he could not be saved.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Unlike stocks, which can be valued on the basis of tangible components such a company’s goods and services, bitcoin is considered a store of value, and its price is driven by what others are willing to pay for it.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
  • Goldstein drove Boozer home with a sacrifice fly and Corral plated the go-ahead run with a single through the right side.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speed. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on speed

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!