as in velocity
a high rate of movement or performance
a journalist who writes his well-crafted stories with remarkable celerity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 celerity
With stunning celerity, possibility becomes probability and then certainty, as readers reject the quiet, circuitous, and unglamorous narratives of prudential compromise, ambiguous diplomacy, or incremental progress.
—
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Electrons in solids tend to bump into atoms instead of moving uninterrupted, so being able to control them with such celerity was crucial for the team to carry out its Peter-Pan-and-his-shadow manipulation of the electron and the hole.
—Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, Scientific American, 8 Dec. 2021
The list goes on, but the difference between now and centuries ago is the frequency and celerity with which materials move between continents and the increasing intensity of climate change.
—Claire Marie Porter, WIRED, 2 Aug. 2019
People solve mysteries and puzzles with shocking celerity.
—Daniel Payne, National Review, 20 July 2019
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Electrons in solids tend to bump into atoms instead of moving uninterrupted, so being able to control them with such celerity was crucial for the team to carry out its Peter-Pan-and-his-shadow manipulation of the electron and the hole.
—Karmela Padavic-Callaghan, Scientific American, 8 Dec. 2021
The list goes on, but the difference between now and centuries ago is the frequency and celerity with which materials move between continents and the increasing intensity of climate change.
—Claire Marie Porter, WIRED, 2 Aug. 2019
People solve mysteries and puzzles with shocking celerity.
—Daniel Payne, National Review, 20 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for celerity
Noun
-
But none of these innovations used digital technology to increase velocity, because of power constraints.—
Chloe Veltman,
NPR,
10 Feb. 2026
-
This refers to the total change in velocity and direction that a spacecraft is capable of achieving over time.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Winter Olympic athletes, particularly those who compete in events that involve flying down a mountain or icy track at breakneck speeds, are not exactly known for self-preservation instincts.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
With China’s lunar program picking up speed, the pressure is on for the US to reclaim the lunar surface — a destination that has remained untouched by humans for over 50 years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Celerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/celerity. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
