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

2 of 2

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
British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Garry Begg, praised the swift actions of first responders. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2025 The strategic consequences have been swift and dramatic. —Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 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
  • Sustain small farms amid global competition • Promote transparency and ethics in coffee sourcing In a world increasingly dominated by industrial scale and rapid production, Kona coffee companies should work to remain a symbol of craftsmanship, care and community.
    — Jean Orlowski, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
  • Trained in marksmanship, rapid deployment, ambushes, surveillance, and psychological operations, Los Zetas used overt military force to consolidate control over most of the Texas border and the Gulf Coast port of Veracruz.
    — Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2025
Definition of rapid
Adverb
  • Bregman skipped a rehab assignment to return quicker as the team enters an important stretch in the schedule against a slew of winning teams, including Tampa Bay, which began the day just ahead of Boston in the division standings.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • Basically, the Earth is going to rotate quicker than usual.
    — Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Making a brisk morning walk in the sun part of your daily routine can be a grounding, enjoyable experience.
    — Ashley Olivine, Verywell Health, 23 July 2025
  • When measuring the nation's collective fitness, the good news is Americans are more likely to take a brisk walk, play pickleball or lift weights.
    — Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 22 July 2025
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • Kathy Bledsoe, 44, was working as manager at a Belleville outpost of the fast food chain on July 16, and at one point in the afternoon instructed a juvenile female to take out the trash, according to the Belleville Police Department.
    — Chris Spargo, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • The Perseids is a strong, fast meteor shower featuring about 50 to 100 meteors per hour, per NASA.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
Definition of fast
Adverb
  • Medical staff responded immediately, administering fluids and swiftly transferring him to our Doral clinic for more extensive care.
    — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
  • Even 6 inches of swiftly moving water can forcefully knock you off your feet.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Definition of swiftly
Adverb
  • Despite the malfunction, the seasoned performer kept her composure and soon continued to sing to her fans.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • Water depth - The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 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 3 Aug. 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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