fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fastnext
1
as in quickly
with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

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2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast How to pronounce fast (audio)
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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3
as in tight
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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4
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

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6
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

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fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

The words expeditious and fast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
The company said advanced cyber-capable models could ultimately become useful defensive tools, helping security teams identify vulnerabilities, understand how individual weaknesses can be chained together and respond to attacks faster. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026 The series unfolds against Japan’s ongoing debate over beauty standards – a culture growing more open to diverse appearances even as its cosmetic surgery sector remains one of its fastest-growing industries. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2026
Adjective
The Sián’s lightning-fast performance is complemented by equally dramatic looks. — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 27 July 2026 As organizations rely more on AI and self-service reporting, consistent data quality, lineage and governance become critical for making faster decisions with confidence. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Noun
The fast will coincide with the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations. — Benjamin Park, The Conversation, 1 June 2026 Eid al-Fitr, which happens at the end of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marks the breaking of the fast. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Verb
Trump recently posted on his Truth Social account that big oil companies were not dropping gas prices fast enough, and that Americans were being gouged. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026 Then there are the Braves, who couldn’t get out of there fast enough. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
  1. quickly
  2. quite
  3. rapid
  4. loyal
  5. tight
  6. deceptive
  7. sturdy
  8. short
Adverb
  • Two teams — McLaren and Aston Martin — are expected to bring big upgrade packages to the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, and this race is anticipated to be less about energy deployment and more about driving quickly without making a mistake.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With a void in leadership and production, the Horned Frogs will need someone to step up quickly.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • Maybe that’s why replacing all my skinny jeans with wide-leg styles never quite solved my own denim dilemma.
    — Alesandra Dubin, Glamour, 31 July 2026
  • His film is likable as heck but never quite achieves liftoff.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • That design philosophy allows manufacturers to prioritize rapid production, simpler assembly and lower manufacturing costs without compromising mission performance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • Patents filed earlier in the 'gold rush' are often granted with broader coverage on average than applications filed later due to the rapid growth in prior art patent filings.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • These special dishes also allow the team a closer interaction with their loyal customers.
    — Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Teams sold tickets, concessions, sponsorships and television rights to loyal hometown fans.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • The city is considering imposing tighter curfew rules, for example.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 July 2026
  • The mainly American mainstays monopolize the market, while denim production has tight margins and is resource-intensive.
    — Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 28 July 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • This predominantly includes deceptive measures and signal disruptions as responses to intrusive drones.
    — Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • Warren also raised concerns about X’s banking partner, Cross River Bank, pointing to prior enforcement actions over deceptive loan practices involving the bank’s fintech partners.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 29 July 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • All of these are captured using his Nikon Z8 and 100-400mm lens, usually set on a sturdy tripod with a fluid head.
    — Patrick Connolly Orlando Sentinel, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Getty’s 5%-plus dividend accounts for less than 80% of FFO estimates, and it’s backed by sturdy tenants with good credit.
    — Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Lavish in convenience, the property is a short walk away to the Bedford Avenue subway stop, the vast and lively McCarren Park, and close to the border of the ever-evolving Greenpoint neighborhood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • The new short film by writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal will premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of short

Browse Nearby Words

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fast
fastback
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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Nglish: Translation of fast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fast

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