HASTE Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'haste' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch , expedition , hurry , and speed . While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness. // marry in haste

Q: How are the words 'expedition' and 'dispatch' related as synonyms of 'haste'?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters. // the case came to trial with expedition // paid bills with dispatch

Q: When could 'hurry' be used to replace 'haste'?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion. // in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

Q: When can 'speed' be used instead of 'haste'?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action. // exercises to increase your reading speed

haste

noun

ˈhāst

Definition of haste

as in speed

a high rate of movement or performance made haste to get there on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in hustle

excited and often showy or disorderly speed haste makes waste in her haste, she forgot her keys

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun haste contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of haste are dispatch, expedition, hurry, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of haste?

Expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters.

the case came to trial with expedition

paid bills with dispatch

When could hurry be used to replace haste?

The words hurry and haste are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

When can speed be used instead of haste?

The words speed and haste can be used in similar contexts, but speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

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 haste Perhaps the clearest example of lessons learned from the Los Angeles fires was the haste with which local law enforcement worked to evacuate residents, Clemo said. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Utility deposits forgotten in the haste and hassle of an interstate move. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2026 Payment only upon completion can lead to haste, which can generate confusion and mistakes. — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 The person who conducted the overpainting probably did it with great haste, as a monument, which was destroyed right after the end of the war, is still visible. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for haste

Recent Examples of Synonyms for haste

Noun

The vessel had switched off its AIS transponder, a marine radio device that broadcasts a ship’s identity, speed, course and position.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Torque arrives early, with the bulk of the 406 lb-ft available from low engine speeds, and the SQ5 builds speed with the sort of effortless authority that expensive German machinery has perfected.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of speed

Noun

Glenwood Springs is also just two and a half hours from the hustle and bustle of Denver.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Aug. 2026
Zisman gave up the sideman hustle years ago but has kept a foot in the scene by accompanying vocalist Kim Nalley, a chair he’s held down for decades.

— Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hustle

Noun

His velocity hit 97 mph on Tuesday night, and the sweeper he’s tinkered with since entering pro ball has become more comfortable this season.

— Tim Britton, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Auriga can, for example, alter launch velocity depending on the mass of the projectile, the required range and the type of target being engaged.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of velocity

Noun

The 6-foot, 220-pound North Carolina product gained 737 yards from scrimmage and had five touchdowns in 156 touches — 124 rushes and 32 receptions.

— Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026
For fans, the rush was intense after the club added Stanton to a roster that was one win away from reaching the 2017 World Series.

— Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of rush

Noun

Washburn recorded 17 tackles, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup, but one of his biggest performances came on one of the biggest stages as Washburn recorded two sacks against FAMU in the Florida Classic.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
There’s widespread thinking that Iran is not in much of a hurry.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of hurry

Noun

Amid concerns of a further reduction in precipitation and runoff, the canal operator has already imposed multiple draft restrictions for larger Neopanamax vessels to limit the amount of freight carried through the channel.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Their December through February forecasts for both temperature and precipitation are showing hallmarks of El Niño.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of precipitation

Browse Nearby Words

hassling

haste

hasten

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Style

“Haste.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/haste. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of haste

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