speedy

adjective

ˈspē-dē How to pronounce speedy (audio)
Definition of speedynext
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immediate
done, carried out, or given without delay I was surprised by and pleased with the company's speedy response to my complaints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective speedy contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speedy are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When can expeditious be used instead of speedy?

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

the expeditious handling of an order

How do fast and rapid relate to one another, in the sense of speedy?

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 speedy?

Although the words fleet and speedy have much in common, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is it sensible to use hasty instead of speedy?

In some situations, the words hasty and speedy are roughly equivalent. However, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is quick a more appropriate choice than speedy?

While in some cases nearly identical to speedy, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to speedy?

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

rapid current

When might swift be a better fit than speedy?

While the synonyms swift and speedy 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 speedy The speedy youngster has the potential to be a defensive upgrade over Grisham, as the two-time Gold Glover is rather slow for a center fielder. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026 Although lead times are condensed, the result is speedy—but not fast—fashion. —Sj Studio, Footwear News, 12 June 2026 Most 747 routes spanned oceans and continents, giving travelers a speedier option than the Queen Mary had across the Atlantic, or the California Zephyr across the West. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026 In court, Cooper's lawyer pushed for a speedy trial on the initial charge, which the judge granted. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for speedy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speedy
  1. rapid
  2. immediate
  3. quick
  4. swift
  5. fast
  6. timely
  7. brisk
  8. galloping
Adjective
  • Similar rapid advancements occurred with chemistry in the 19th century and physics in the 20th century, and the 21st century will go to biology and medicine.
    — Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
  • Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Whoever wins the nomination will face an immediate campaign finance gap and depend heavily on national GOP resources.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 June 2026
  • The researchers’ examples of those immediate desires include activities such as smoking, overeating, and going to the movies instead of completing a report for work.
    — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • There is an underground tunnel connecting the main hotel and the lobby/restaurant building, which makes navigating the area much easier in a wheelchair or for those looking to avoid a cold (but quick) commute.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 June 2026
  • The Iranian men’s soccer team’s quick departure from Los Angeles following its opening World Cup match was always the plan, according to the US government, despite complaints from the team.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Brown completed his swift and extraordinary rise to the top on Saturday, leading the New York Knicks to a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 14 June 2026
  • The athletes then were swift and skilled, but generally unmuscled, Wilt excepted.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Definition of swift
Adjective
  • The game is faster, the players are more explosive and soft-tissue injuries have become increasingly common.
    — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 17 June 2026
  • The ambition is to enhance rather than disrupt the creative and address the growing demand for faster and more efficient pipelines.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • Last week, officials with the California’s Fair Political Practices Commission determined that 36 donations that Newsom solicited to the California Fire Foundation weren’t reported in a timely fashion and fined him $31,500.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2026
  • Constraints curb the capital investments necessary for the timely reparation of outdated systems and crumbling infrastructure within the state’s current funding regime.
    — Dr. Andraé Townsel, Hartford Courant, 16 June 2026
Definition of timely
Adjective
  • Consumers haven’t slowed down their brisk spending.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • But there are moments of the season that simply call out for a brisk read.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 10 June 2026
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.
    — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • Designed by renowned architect Dominique Perrault, its four stories tilting forward are said to evoke a galloping horse.
    — Rob Hodgetts at Longchamp, CNN, 15 Oct. 2019
Definition of galloping

Browse Nearby Words

speed (up)
speedy
spell
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Cite this Entry

“Speedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speedy. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of speedy for Spanish Speakers

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