quick 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkwik How to pronounce quick (audio)
Definition of quicknext
1
as in swift
having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation she's a quick wit, always ready with a pun or joke when the moment calls for one

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fast
having or showing quickness of mind a quick lad, he immediately caught on to how the machinery operated

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed a quick run through the car wash, and your vehicle will look as good as new

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in breathing
having or showing life after the battle, there was a hurried accounting of the quick and the dead

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in keen
able to sense slight impressions or differences parlayed her quick eye for beauty into ownership of a top modeling agency

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in gone
archaic containing unborn young within the body a woman quick with child

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quick

2 of 3

adverb

as in quickly
with great speed watch out, as the cars pass by here pretty quick

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quick

3 of 3

noun

as in heart
the seat of one's deepest thoughts and emotions that nasty comment cut me to the quick

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective quick contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of quick are apt, prompt, and ready. While all these words mean "able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability," quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

When is apt a more appropriate choice than quick?

The words apt and quick can be used in similar contexts, but apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Where would prompt be a reasonable alternative to quick?

While the synonyms prompt and quick are close in meaning, prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

When is it sensible to use ready instead of quick?

The meanings of ready and quick largely overlap; however, ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

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 quick
Adjective
And a quick search showed that the Cambridge Analytica story is, in fact, a clear rip-off of a recent story by 404 Media journalist Matthew Gault. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026 Whenever the visiting side tried to get something going, KC disrupted the attack and pulled the defense apart with quick passes in possession and transition. — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
Adverb
Sorge said that this class of space debris decelerates quicker, and also once on the surface the pieces are also more recognizable than broken up chunks of metal. — Leonard David, Space.com, 22 July 2026 Made of breathable, quick-drying fabric that helps wick away moisture, the relaxed silhouette helps promote airflow while still looking polished. — Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2026
Noun
As one of the marquee burners in the talent-rich fields of Los Angeles, Ross has Power 4 quicks — Notre Dame, Washington and Auburn were among the blue-blood offers — on a mid-major frame (5-foot-10, 180 pounds). — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025 The 34-year-old won’t evade defenders with his quicks but repeatedly beats coverage off the first move and wins in traffic. — Ben Standig, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for quick
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quick
  1. swift
  2. fast
  3. rapid
  4. alive
  5. keen
  6. gone
  7. quickly
  8. heart
Adjective
  • Araki, who has honed his craft on the swift schedules of both low-budget movies and episodic television, says there’s something to be gained from having the momentum that comes with never being able to slow down.
    — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The swift capitulation put many other law firms at a disadvantage.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of swift
Adjective
  • The Perseids are particularly fast and often leave persistent glowing trails.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Previously the fastest woman, Dutch runner Tessa Caspers, did it in 38 days.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • That design philosophy allows manufacturers to prioritize rapid production, simpler assembly and lower manufacturing costs without compromising mission performance.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 July 2026
  • Patents filed earlier in the 'gold rush' are often granted with broader coverage on average than applications filed later due to the rapid growth in prior art patent filings.
    — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, unbeknownst to everyone at Harrenhal and King’s Landing, Aemond’s brother Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) has been reunited with his very much alive dragon, Sunfyre, while Aemond’s dragon, Vhagar, is still MIA.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But now that the reception has ended, MARTA should capitalize on some locals’ new romance with transit and keep that spark alive.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of alive
Adjective
  • In an interview with the ECB website, Root was keen to pay tribute to Stokes, one of his closest friends, but acknowledged that the team would need to reassess its approach under Fleming.
    — Andrew Fifield, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The site produces material used to make magnets that are essential for defense manufacturing, which the US is keen to secure.
    — Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of keen
Adjective
  • Suddenly, photos, videos, or important documents are just… gone.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
  • Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of gone
Adverb
  • Two teams — McLaren and Aston Martin — are expected to bring big upgrade packages to the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, and this race is anticipated to be less about energy deployment and more about driving quickly without making a mistake.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With a void in leadership and production, the Horned Frogs will need someone to step up quickly.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Definition of quickly
Noun
  • If your body has been asking you in a few ways to slow down (like feeling a cough coming on, or a tiredness that won’t shake off), stop fighting against what your body or heart is trying to tell you.
    — Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Hürrem takes inspiration from the 16th‑century romance between Ottoman ruler Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent and his chief consort Roxelana, who became Hürrem Sultan upon winning his heart.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of heart

Browse Nearby Words

quibbling
quick
quicken
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on quick

Nglish: Translation of quick for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quick

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