swift 1 of 2

adjective

ˈswift How to pronounce swift (audio)
Definition of swiftnext
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swift

2 of 2

adverb

as in quick
with great speed tried to cross the swift-flowing river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective swift contrast with its synonyms?

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

returned the ball with one swift stroke

When can expeditious be used instead of swift?

The words expeditious and swift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 swift?

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

fast horses

When would fleet be a good substitute for swift?

The synonyms fleet and swift are sometimes interchangeable, but fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is hasty a more appropriate choice than swift?

The meanings of hasty and swift largely overlap; however, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

In what contexts can quick take the place of swift?

Although the words quick and swift have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to swift?

In some situations, the words rapid and swift are roughly equivalent. However, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When could speedy be used to replace swift?

While the synonyms speedy and swift are close in meaning, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

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 swift
Adjective
The outcry over Coyote vs. Acme was swift, with sources telling THR multiple filmmakers instructed their reps to cancel meetings at the studio. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 31 Mar. 2025 But Ukraine and its allies fear Russia might get the advantage in the push by the Trump administration for swift diplomatic progress. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Adverb
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris. —Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019 By The Numbers 5 The forecast for Colorado’s 2019 whitewater rafting season: Rad, thanks to epic snowfall this winter that will likely spell swift-moving rivers. —Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, 19 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for swift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swift
  1. rapid
  2. quick
  3. brisk
  4. fast
  5. swiftly
  6. soon
Adjective
  • Since taking office, the Trump administration has implemented rapid, significant changes to United States immigration policy.
    — Albert Sun, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of rapid
Adverb
  • Catch up quick: Brad Schimel, the conservative candidate in Wisconsin's Supreme Court race, lost by 10 points in a 50-50 state.
    — Tal Axelrod, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Whether this occurred through external networking or internal conversations, matching the hiring department’s needs with a new team member can happen quicker than the job posting going live.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Warhol is a brisk dip in self-deprecating self-examination.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s weather for the A’s first home game was unseasonably cool with rain earlier in the day and game-time temperature a brisk 52 degrees with some light wind.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • John Taylor, mayor of New Fairview, told the committee that Wise County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a 20% population increase since 2020.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • In response, leading innovators are creating faster chips and more powerful processors, even as quantum computing emerges.
    — Charles Yeomans, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fast
Adverb
  • The alliance has more than twice the military forces of Russia, and European leaders are increasing defense spending and moving more swiftly than at any point since the end of the Cold War to ramp up weapons production.
    — Josh Holder, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The first followed the Civil War, promising economic empowerment to freed slaves — promises that were swiftly broken.
    — Andre Johnson Jr., Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of swiftly
Adverb
  • Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The women on board could soon be heard whooping in joy as three massive parachutes deployed after about nine minutes into the flight and the capsule made a soft landing two minutes later in the desert, sending up plumes of dust.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of soon

Browse Nearby Words

swerving
swift
swiftly
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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swift

Nglish: Translation of swift for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swift

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