Definition of hastynext
1
2

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective hasty contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hasty are expeditious, fast, fleet, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When is expeditious a more appropriate choice than hasty?

The words expeditious and hasty can be used in similar contexts, but 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 hasty?

Both fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When could fleet be used to replace hasty?

In some situations, the words fleet and hasty are roughly equivalent. However, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

When would quick be a good substitute for hasty?

Although the words quick and hasty have much in common, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When can rapid be used instead of hasty?

The synonyms rapid and hasty are sometimes interchangeable, but rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is it sensible to use speedy instead of hasty?

While in some cases nearly identical to hasty, speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

Where would swift be a reasonable alternative to hasty?

While the synonyms swift and hasty are close in meaning, 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 hasty For decades, that statutory provision has protected historic properties that are on or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places from hasty and short-sighted federal agency action. Jane Montanaro, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026 Raman’s statement arrived on the same day that sitting Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference calling for a hasty resolution to the standoff between Bonta and Paramount Skydance. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026 Thankfully, the lessons from that hasty dash towards the fringes of our towns and cities in the 1990s and early 2000s seem to have been learned. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Now that the finish line is in sight, don’t be hasty and ruin all your hard work. Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hasty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hasty
Adjective
  • Chandler Simpson put down a squeeze bunt and Mateo beat third baseman Kevin McGonigle’s hurried flip to the plate.
    Dave Hogg, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Chandler Simpson put down a squeeze bunt and Mateo beat third baseman Kevin McGonigle's hurried flip to the plate.
    CBS News, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The fear that rapid technological advances could threaten nuclear stability is not new.
    Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The teen’s family has said this was a rushed judgment that did not involve a thorough enough investigation.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
  • The rushed and botched release of Apple Intelligence made clear that Apple's AI strategy wasn't fully fleshed out.
    Kevin Stankiewicz,Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 July 2026
Adjective
  • Police credited the group's quick response with helping save the woman's life.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Then the bear tossed a quick glance at Corle and fled into the underbrush.
    Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Madrigal will play Dan, James’ divorced best friend whose plans for single life are derailed by James and Jeanie’s impulsive wedding.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Tom framed the incident in the context of Hilton’s recent, impulsive relocation from Las Vegas to his hometown of Miami.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Warsh said business investment, led by AI spending and consumer demand, remains brisk.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
  • For the cardio portion, Cleveland Clinic recommends brisk walking, biking, dancing, swimming, rowing, stair climbing or elliptical training.
    Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Measles rash may come next – flat red spots can spread from the face down.
    Eva Flowe August 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Symptoms of the Bourbon virus can include fever, fatigue, rash, headaches, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
    Meena Thiruvengadam, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Jade Gao | Afp | Getty Images Shares of Shein fell 9% in their Hong Kong trading debut Tuesday, after a tepid IPO that saw the fast-fashion giant's valuation drop to nearly a quarter from its peak.
    Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The 100-meter sprint in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval brought together the world’s fastest runners, hurtling along at breakneck speed to shrieks of excitement from a captivated crowd.
    Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hasty. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!