QUICK Synonyms: 406 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

quick 1 of 3

adjective

ˈkwik

Definition of quick

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

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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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

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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

But as Madsen received the snap, a quick gasp went around the stadium as Madsen appeared to fumble the ball behind him. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 11 Oct. 2026 Both want Ukraine’s president to be replaced with someone who will agree a quick deal. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2026

Adverb

For now, its Muse assistants are actively helping people complete tasks on their computers quicker, such as responding to emails, booking flights, and surfing the web on their behalf. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 The hope is that the mRNA vaccine can target emerging strains quicker, according to the CDC. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 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

Adjective

That drew a swift rebuke from a bipartisan group of Senators, who wrote a letter to Apple arguing that to do so would imperil national security.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The provincial government’s spokeswoman, Samar Haroon Bilour, praised rescue workers for their swift response.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of swift

Adjective

Desiree Rios | Bloomberg | Getty Images Cleveland Federal Reserve President Beth Hammack said Monday that tighter monetary policy might be needed to bring down inflation and the central bank should make fast, incremental adjustments.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
That will allow for faster and safer repatriation of the turtles that survive.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of fast

Adjective

This is the experience of some students in the state and it is being further complicated by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, rising college costs and limited exposure to jobs before graduation.

— P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Their operational training regularly includes rapid rope insertions from heights of 100 feet or more.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of rapid

Adjective

After all, Jonathan, who was probably alive for President Andrew Jackson's second inauguration in 1833, is still thriving.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That came in the fourth quarter, requiring Manning to throw a Hail Mary-adjacent 62-yard fourth-down heave to keep the drive alive.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of alive

Adjective

There's good reason families are increasingly keen to cut college costs.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
The textual literalism that dominates the action is shown up by a few moments of keen-eyed observation—above all, in a calm but mighty reveal in Alberto’s episode.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of keen

Adjective

An America lost to time, remembered in photos The mall’s future is now determined — and its past reveals a version of America perhaps long gone.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 2026
Suddenly, photos, videos, or important documents are just… gone.

— StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026

Definition of gone

Noun

Your deep veins run within the muscles of your arms and legs, carrying most of the blood returning from your limbs to your heart.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Aware of the Simonson case in Minnesota, Wisconsin investigators identified one of the victims as Simonson, in part through a distinctive tattoo on her ankle featuring a heart and her daughter Alyssa's name.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of heart

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quibbling

quick

quicken

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“Quick.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quick. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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