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

Nusra also had a reputation for policing other armed groups and punishing criminal gangs, with swift convictions in its own Sharia courts, often followed by executions. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Please join me and the people of the Holy Father's home diocese in praying for his swift and complete recovery. — Tara Molina, CBS News, 11 Oct. 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

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

Though the Scandi brand was selling at a brisk pace to her online customers, Stover knew the economics weren’t going to work for the long term if every reorder was saddled with that kind of extra cost.

— Jessica Binns, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2026
The final product is a rousing, brisk, and genuinely inspiring biopic that never feels like homework.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of brisk

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

Adverb

This inner planet, being closer, will move more rapidly around the star than the outer planet.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Together, the tools could help accelerate the development of more resilient electric motor systems while reducing the risks associated with critical material shortages, volatile supply chains and rapidly changing global markets.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of rapidly

Adverb

Still, when the measles outbreak erupted, Bangladesh responded swiftly and initially seemed to be winning the battle.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Illinois reacted swiftly to the boys’ arrest for Morse’s murder, enacting a new law that lowered the age to 10 from 13 at which offenders could be sentenced to prison.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of swiftly

Adverb

Some announcements could come sooner, given the massive amount of organization and fundraising involved in mounting presidential campaigns.

— Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Porter’s prediction needs several of them to take steps forward together, and soon.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of swift

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