hurry 1 of 2

noun

Definition of hurrynext
1
as in hustle
excited and often showy or disorderly speed after all her hurry to get her report done on time, Elizabeth learned that it wasn't due till the following week

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in speed
a high rate of movement or performance a person who does everything in a hurry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity in all the hurry of the modern world, people tend to forget what's really important

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hurry

2 of 2

verb

ˈhər-ē How to pronounce hurry (audio)
1
as in to rush
to cause to move or proceed fast or faster the new nurses were hurried through the orientation program because they were so desperately needed on the ward

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to scurry
to proceed or move quickly if we hurry, we'll make the four o'clock train

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun hurry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of hurry are dispatch, expedition, haste, and speed. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

How do expedition and dispatch relate to one another, in the sense of hurry?

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 can haste be used instead of hurry?

The words haste and hurry can be used in similar contexts, but haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness.

marry in haste

Where would speed be a reasonable alternative to hurry?

Although the words speed and hurry have much in common, 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 hurry
Noun
But Chicago can put up runs in a hurry, as Houston found out. — The Athletic Mlb Staff, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 Carter has a team-high 24 tackles this season with two quarterback hurries. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
The screening times were staggered, allowing Pawlikowski to hurry from one place to the next and introduce his film. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Last week against fellow FBS newcomer North Dakota State, Sharman was chased, hurried, sacked, clobbered and more. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hurry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hurry
  1. hustle
  2. speed
  3. commotion
  4. rush
  5. scurry
  6. haste
  7. velocity
  8. stir
Noun
  • Through schoolyard rivalries, neighborhood hustles, and family setbacks, Kev turns every disaster into a story.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Recruiting an ambitious protégé, a loyal driver, and a growing network of eccentric partners, Lee transforms small hustles into big business.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of hustle
Noun
  • In reality, both objects orbit the star in the same direction, just at different, changing speeds.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Power is routed to the rear wheels through a new six-speed manual gearbox.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of speed
Noun
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That allowed passengers to hear the commotion and discover what was happening.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • The men rushed on to the plain, setting more trees ablaze and hurling rocks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The unidentified man in his 30s was rushed to the hospital in critical condition but was pronounced dead later in the afternoon, according to the police.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of rush
Verb
  • The Off Campus duo, Emma Watson, Hunter Schafer, Chase Infiniti, and Tyriq Withers, who all scurried off together to continue the already-memorable night elsewhere.
    — Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Here are five ways to make your Halloween display friendlier to the creatures that fly, slither and scurry through your yard.
    — Katie Koschalk, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of scurry
Noun
  • Plus, data centers aren’t acting with haste or employing new innovations.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The doc skips in disappointing haste over head-turning early films The Grim Reaper and Before the Revolution, and the potent 1970 telemovie The Spider’s Stratagem.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of haste
Noun
  • Businesses that rediscover its values will gain what their velocity-chasing competitors cannot buy, borrow, or automate.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Patriot munition at a critical low is the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, a high-velocity surface-to-air interceptor designed to destroy incoming tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles by ramming into them.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of velocity
Noun
  • That's especially prevalent in the Oversized Graphic T-Shirt with enigmatic dates on the back -- those are already causing a stir in the fan community.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Grammy winner’s online feud with Art of Play has caused quite a stir on the internet over the past few days.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of stir

Phrases Containing hurry

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hurries
hurry
hurrying
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Cite this Entry

“Hurry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hurry. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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