quick 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkwik How to pronounce quick (audio)
Definition of quicknext
1
as in swift
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation she's a quick wit, always ready with a pun or joke when the moment calls for one

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2
as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

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3
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a quick run through the car wash, and your vehicle will look as good as new

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4
as in breathing
having or showing life after the battle, there was a hurried accounting of the quick and the dead

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5
as in keen
able to sense slight impressions or differences parlayed her quick eye for beauty into ownership of a top modeling agency

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6
as in gone
archaic containing unborn young within the body a woman quick with child

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quick

2 of 3

adverb

as in quickly
with great speed watch out, as the cars pass by here pretty quick

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quick

3 of 3

noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

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 quick
Adjective
While the milky brunette color gives you a bit more agency with your touch-up timing, a quick salon visit can revive it instantly. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 10 Mar. 2026 And if there is a quick end to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices would likely return toward pre-war levels. —Matt Egan, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
Trade increased, and mail traveled quicker between the countries. —Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026 The iPhone 17 is a bit quicker at charging than the 16. —Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
The left-arm quick picked up the invaluable wicket of Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in history, who went out facing his first ball, and then Netravalkar got the wicket of India captain Rohit Sharma. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 12 June 2024 Stress hormones flood your system, making your heart pound, your blood pressure rise, your breath quicks, your thoughts race…and none of it is super conducive to feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. —Anna Borges, SELF, 21 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
  1. swift
  2. fast
  3. rapid
  4. keen
  5. gone
  6. quickly
  7. heart
  8. willing
Adjective
  • The proposal, which became public in February, was met with swift and decisive pushback from town officials and state lawmakers representing the town.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard credited preparation and training for the swift response to the attack.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of swift
Adjective
  • The foundation of San Diego’s fast start has been an organized, increasingly authoritative defensive spine led by Christopher McVey, Manu Duah and Kieran Sargeant.
    — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Online records show that Kayumi's parents have owned and worked at multiple Popeyes fast food locations, including in Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Atlantic City.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
  • At the edges of the channel, near the walls, Rout and Lim’s team saw rapid fluctuations of molecules — those were the wiggly nucleoporins.
    — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Ukraine is keen to lock in future foreign support for its ongoing effort to thwart Russia's invasion, and drone production agreements could bring Kyiv some diplomatic leverage in negotiations with Moscow.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Sam McMurray helps maintain the ecology of the river and lake, and teaches guests to fish, but the key man is Mike Hurd, expert fly-fisherman, keen golfer, and tourist guide.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of keen
Adjective
  • Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Retaining Hall, 39, keeps one familiar face from Dart’s rookie year on the offensive side of the building for his second NFL season, with Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka and Shea Tierney all long gone.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
Definition of gone
Adverb
  • Bumila quickly found himself in foul trouble, and was forced to take a seat briefly.
    — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of quickly
Noun
  • Her great, big burlesque performance is a striptease that, layer by layer, reveals her narcissism, her naïveté and her broken heart.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Degarmo says the pig has been feeling depressed since she’s been without his family for many months, noting that pigs could die of a broken heart.
    — Julianna Lozada, Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of heart
Adjective
  • Eva is a complex character, flinty and businesslike, deadly serious about her mission and willing to make ethical compromises to move it forward.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Lamott, whose work moves between memoir and fiction, is more willing to bend a rule in the service of voice.
    — Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of willing

Browse Nearby Words

quibbling
quick
quicken
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Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quick

Nglish: Translation of quick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quick

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