HASTY Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'hasty' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hasty are expeditious , fast , fleet , quick , rapid , speedy , and swift . While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. // a hasty inspection

Q: When is 'expeditious' a more appropriate choice than 'hasty'?

The words expeditious and hasty can be used in similar contexts, but expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. // the expeditious handling of an order

Q: How are the words 'fast' and 'rapid' related as synonyms of 'hasty'?

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

Q: When could 'fleet' be used to replace 'hasty'?

In some situations, the words fleet and hasty are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. // fleet runners

Q: When would 'quick' be a good substitute for 'hasty'?

Although the words quick and hasty have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. // a quick wit

Q: When can 'rapid' be used instead of 'hasty'?

The synonyms rapid and hasty are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves. // rapid current

Q: When is it sensible to use 'speedy' instead of 'hasty'?

While in some cases nearly identical to hasty , speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity. // speedy delivery of mail

Q: Where would 'swift' be a reasonable alternative to 'hasty'?

While the synonyms swift and hasty are close in meaning, swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. // returned the ball with one swift stroke

hasty

adjective

ˈhā-stē

Definition of hasty next

as in hurried

acting or done with excessive or careless speed Anna later regretted her hasty decision to sell her car

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rapid

moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed we all wish our sick friend a hasty recovery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hasty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hasty are expeditious, fast, fleet, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is expeditious a more appropriate choice than hasty?

The words expeditious and hasty can be used in similar contexts, but 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 hasty?

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

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace hasty?

In some situations, the words fleet and hasty are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When would quick be a good substitute for hasty?

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

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of hasty?

The synonyms rapid and hasty are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is it sensible to use speedy instead of hasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to hasty, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to hasty?

While the synonyms swift and hasty are close in meaning, 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 hasty Offscreen tragedy, including the deaths of key executive producer Kevin Turen and actor Angus Cloud, who played the affable drug dealer Fezco, and reports of long shooting times and hasty rewrites made the prospect of a third season seem up in the air for years. —

Molly Lambert, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026 Filers who beat the deadline will position themselves for hasty refunds. —

Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026 Guard against a hasty response. —

Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 8 Apr. 2026 Even if the state hypothetically did secure federal funding, that did not mean the facility’s hasty construction violated federal environmental law. —

Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hasty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hasty

Adjective

Inside an intimate pub, however, filling out the scene with empty tables could distract from the hurried, nervous nature of the filmmaker’s original intent.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Staying there feels like stepping back in time to a less crowded, less hurried version of Italy, where old men gather in front of the church to watch the world go by, and families with little kids enjoy a gelato on the terrace of the cafes on the main square.

— Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026

Definition of hurried

Browse Nearby Words

has to do with

hasty

hat

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hasty. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hasty

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on hasty

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expedite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Regarding the Incorrect Use of 'Decimate'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

What to Call the Inept, Incompetent, and Inferior

The Words of the Week - May 22

Insults and Compliments from Recent Slang

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Strange Words for Body Functions

Where does 'curiosity killed the cat' come from?

Games & Quizzes