fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fastnext
1
as in quickly
with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast How to pronounce fast (audio)
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

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6
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

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Dissimilar Words

fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

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

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
While 13 other Google products have managed that feat, Gemini has done it faster than any other. — ArsTechnica, 11 Aug. 2026 That direct link gives Wall Street a leg up over retail traders by delivering Truth Social posts split seconds faster than the public sees them. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
The cook time here is super fast, but the recipe does require some chopping. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 But a daytime fireball is caused by something large enough to be visible in the sky in broad daylight, something large and fast enought to light up a sky brighter than a sunlit day. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Noun
The fast will coincide with the United States’ semiquincentennial celebrations. — Benjamin Park, The Conversation, 1 June 2026 Eid al-Fitr, which happens at the end of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, marks the breaking of the fast. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Verb
No Rockies player had ever homered on a pitch that fast during the pitch tracking era. — ABC News, 26 July 2026 Ferrante explains that a single egg case can produce 30–40 roaches, so a small infestation can multiply fast. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
  1. quickly
  2. quite
  3. rapid
  4. loyal
  5. tight
  6. deceptive
  7. sturdy
  8. short
Adverb
  • The Red Sox scored first and took two leads in the game, but both disappeared quickly.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The system can detect changes quickly and generate alerts for security teams.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • That was quite confusing, so the clubs voted to get rid of it.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Few countries have felt the force of the insect’s impact quite like South Africa.
    — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • These could include intense earthquake swarms, rapid ground deformation, changing gas emissions, and unusual heat flow.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Amazon's recent decision to shorten server depreciation periods underscores the risk of rapid hardware aging.
    — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Because even influencers with relatively small followings have loyal audiences, brands also often pay them to talk about products.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • While this is never guaranteed, some banks might do this as a courtesy for otherwise good or loyal customers; simply reach out and ask.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Mexico holds over 140 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of unconventional gas resources, mostly in northern shale or tight sand basins.
    — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Amid tight security, Najib stood inside a cage wearing a prisoner’s uniform as the judge read the sentence.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Violations of the law are a deceptive trade practice, which can be investigated by the state attorney general's office.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Protection of the president has often required deft and deceptive tactics by the Secret Service.
    — Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • Sit toward the front edge of a sturdy chair, hold the sides for support, and lean back slightly while lifting one or both feet a few inches off the floor.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • One track, though, has stood out as an especially sturdy leader.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • However short its window, think of it as a bridge to help ease your wardrobe’s transition from warmer days to cooler ones.
    — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Three total solar eclipses within about two years occur because three separate Saros series happen to align over a short period.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of short

Browse Nearby Words

fashions
fast
fastback
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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Nglish: Translation of fast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fast

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