SWIFT Synonyms: 111 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

swift 1 of 2

adjective

ˈswift

Definition of swift

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

Early 2026’s swift economic start in California marked a notable improvement over recent GDP performance. — Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2026 Murphy is calling for a swift end to the war, even if the deal includes the shipping toll. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026

Adverb

That trip was referenced in the whistle-blower complaint that sparked the House’s swift-moving impeachment inquiry. — Jennifer Jacobs, Time, 17 Oct. 2019 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 See All Example Sentences for swift

Recent Examples of Synonyms for swift

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

Adverb

The soft nylon and elastane quick-drying fabric packs down to practically nothing and doesn’t hold any wrinkles.

— Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026
Save as a collection on MyRecipes With these one-dish pasta suppers, dinner can be on the table quickly—and cleaned up even quicker.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of quick

Adjective

Founded by a former lawyer turned bookseller and Pasadena native Dan Whitmore, the store is doing brisk business among a younger clientele that still values the tactile pleasures to be found from beautiful books.

— Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
Pick up apple cider donuts at Breeze Hill Farm before taking a brisk trek through any one of North Fork’s idyllic nature preserves—Orient Beach State Park, Sound View Dunes Park, and Laurel Lake Preserve are some of our favorites.

— Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of brisk

Adjective

Rhyne Howard became the fastest player in WNBA history to record 100 made three-pointers in a season, doing it in just 31 games.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Jen Gauthier, Raytheon’s vice president for Naval Systems & Sustainment, said the demonstration supports faster development of autonomous undersea capabilities.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of fast

Adverb

During totality, the temperature could briefly fall by 18 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) before rising rapidly again once the sun reappears.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Skeptics have questioned whether graphics processing units (GPUs) can support this type of financing because the chips have historically been viewed as rapidly depreciating technology.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of rapidly

Adverb

Bar-Zemer contends that safety features could be installed to make sure pedestrians have enough time to exit the pathway if water rises swiftly.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Given that Furious has established a track record of taking excellent actors and then swiftly killing them by Catherine’s hand, this reveal might illustrate that Emma (the exemplary Hope Davis) is the next to go.

— Erin Qualey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of swiftly

Adverb

The annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kick off sooner than usual to accommodate booking conflicts with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

— Jack Leo, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers may soon be equipped with gloves that deliver electrical shocks, which the manufacturer says are intended to de-escalate encounters with individuals.

— Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of soon

Browse Nearby Words

swerving

swift

swiftly

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“Swift.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swift. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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