swift 1 of 2

adjective

ˈswift How to pronounce swift (audio)
Definition of swiftnext
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the sleekest, swiftest boat ever to have sailed in the regatta

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swift

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adverb

as in quick
with great speed tried to cross the swift-flowing river

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective swift contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of swift are expeditious, fast, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, and speedy. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.

returned the ball with one swift stroke

When can expeditious be used instead of swift?

The words expeditious and swift are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 swift?

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

fast horses

When would fleet be a good substitute for swift?

The synonyms fleet and swift are sometimes interchangeable, but fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When is hasty a more appropriate choice than swift?

The meanings of hasty and swift largely overlap; however, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

In what contexts can quick take the place of swift?

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

a quick wit

Where would rapid be a reasonable alternative to swift?

In some situations, the words rapid and swift are roughly equivalent. However, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When could speedy be used to replace swift?

While the synonyms speedy and swift are close in meaning, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

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 swift
Adjective
This is the best time to view the swift planet, as the sun’s bright glare often obscures it. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025 The swift, one-step solution for achieving effortless skin became an undeniable hit. —Jessica Ourisman, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Adverb
As of Monday, Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick and Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Schrader are restricting water activities on Clear Creek because of swift-moving water and floating debris. —Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, 1 July 2019 By The Numbers 5 The forecast for Colorado’s 2019 whitewater rafting season: Rad, thanks to epic snowfall this winter that will likely spell swift-moving rivers. —Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post, 19 June 2019 See All Example Sentences for swift
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swift
  1. rapid
  2. quick
  3. brisk
  4. fast
  5. swiftly
  6. soon
Adjective
  • The organization urged community members to report immigration enforcement to the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice’s rapid response hotline at (909) 361-4588.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • These bases are considered critical for Israel's rapid response capabilities and national defense.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of rapid
Adverb
  • Stotts also thinks basketball might have evolved quicker than medicine over the past two decades.
    — Christian Clark, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Level 2 chargers use up to 240 volts to power an EV battery much quicker, taking only 4 to 10 hours to bring an empty EV battery to 80%.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Think: a brisk stair climb between Zoom calls, a few yoga stretches before breakfast, or a quick round of squats at the top of each hour.
    — Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • While its cozy fabric will serve you well on brisk spring evenings, its lightweight design is easy to throw over your shoulders for added texture once temperatures rise.
    — Averi Baudler, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • John Taylor, mayor of New Fairview, told the committee that Wise County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a 20% population increase since 2020.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The numbers back up that theory, as the Heat went just 3-7 this regular season in games played at a pace faster than 102 possessions per 48 minutes.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of fast
Adverb
  • The South, for its part, responded in kind: secession swiftly forged a fractured region into a reactive unity, bound by fear of emancipation and faith in a mythic agrarian freedom.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Editors’ Picks Lawyers for the migrants said the administration appeared to be mobilizing an effort to swiftly deport another group under the wartime powers act.
    — Hamed Aleaziz, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of swiftly
Adverb
  • Federal charges may soon follow, but that will not become clear until Monday at the earliest.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The women on board could soon be heard whooping in joy as three massive parachutes deployed after about nine minutes into the flight and the capsule made a soft landing two minutes later in the desert, sending up plumes of dust.
    — Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of soon

Browse Nearby Words

swerving
swift
swiftly
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Cite this Entry

“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on swift

Nglish: Translation of swift for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about swift

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