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swift

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adverb

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
Their swift action undoubtedly prevented a potentially devastating situation. Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025 The Adams administration is making swift, intentional investments, building smart to protect all New Yorkers from harsh rains, blazing sun and smog. Meera Joshi, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 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
Adjective
  • Yet these numbers also raise serious questions about the sustainability of such rapid token creation and the implications for investors drawn into what essentially amounts to a high-stakes lottery.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • With Cash App monthly active users stagnating at 57 million for the last few quarters, the company is focused on engagement rather than rapid user acquisition.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 22 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • But Moreau’s world was turned upside down quicker than a double-leg takedown.
    Brian Fabry, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Trump Media became publicly traded last March after merging with a shell company called Digital World Acquisition Corp., an example of what’s called a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, which can give young companies quicker and easier routes to getting their shares trading publicly.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The office campus attracted potential buyers at a brisk pace, according to Newmark brokers.
    George Avalos, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
  • Remarkably, in a brisk 90-minute play, DeLappe finds ways for every girl to be seen and for each one to be in conflict with at least one teammate, though the goalkeeper #00’s most intense conflict is with her own performance anxiety.
    Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Filing electronically with direct deposit is the fastest way to get a refund Consider IRS free resources to help eligible taxpayers file.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Customers were 'like family' Frontier Airlines launches nonstop service from CT airport with fares as low as $49 Popular fast food chicken chain applies for permit to open another location in CT Winter storm watch issued for parts of CT.
    Mark Maglio, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Mood music changing The mood music in Moscow appeared to change swiftly after the Russia-U.S. talks in Riyadh on Tuesday which aimed — ostensibly — to lay the groundwork for upcoming peace talks on Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s absence from the discussions.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2025
  • By Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made by History February 20, 2025 7:15 AM EST Donald Trump has moved swiftly to overhaul the government in his first month in office.
    Mallory Hutchings-Tryon / Made by History, TIME, 20 Feb. 2025
Adverb
  • Book soon, past events have filled up with thousands of visitors.
    Anna Spiegel, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025
  • They could soon be joined by tens of thousands of Syrians forcibly deported by neighboring countries that may use Assad’s departure as a pretext to expel them.
    Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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