fast 1 of 4

adverb

Definition of fastnext
1
as in quickly
with great speed run as fast as you can to get help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in quite
to a full extent or degree everyone in camp was fast asleep within minutes of hitting the sack

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fast

2 of 4

adjective

ˈfast How to pronounce fast (audio)
1
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed the fast pace of construction resulted in our new house being done ahead of schedule

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in loyal
firm in one's allegiance to someone or something the two girls soon became fast and inseparable friends

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tight
firmly positioned in place and difficult to dislodge the rusty, old screws are so fast in the fitting that there's no hope of getting them out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deceptive
given to or marked by cheating and deception rolling back odometers was just one of the fast practices that the used-car dealer was guilty of

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion as the storm approached, we checked to see that every thing on the outside of the house was fast and locked in position

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6
as in short
not lasting for a considerable time after a fast explanation of the procedure, we were turned loose to do the work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in quick
having or showing quickness of mind I don't know how to operate this machine, but I'm a fast learner

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

fast

3 of 4

noun

as in famine

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fast

4 of 4

verb

as in to diet

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective fast contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of fast are expeditious, fleet, hasty, quick, rapid, speedy, and swift. While all these words mean "moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity," fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves.

fast horses

When can expeditious be used instead of fast?

The words expeditious and fast are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.

the expeditious handling of an order

When is it sensible to use fleet instead of fast?

While the synonyms fleet and fast are close in meaning, fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.

fleet runners

In what contexts can hasty take the place of fast?

Although the words hasty and fast have much in common, hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.

a hasty inspection

When would quick be a good substitute for fast?

In some situations, the words quick and fast are roughly equivalent. However, quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.

a quick wit

When might rapid be a better fit than fast?

The meanings of rapid and fast largely overlap; however, rapid applies to the movement itself, rather than to the thing that moves.

rapid current

When is speedy a more appropriate choice than fast?

The words speedy and fast can be used in similar contexts, but speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment and may also suggest unusual velocity.

speedy delivery of mail

When could swift be used to replace fast?

While in some cases nearly identical to fast, 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 fast
Adverb
Act like a tech leader: Stay curious, adopt fast and think digital. —Phil Portman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Prepare your body in the days ahead of the fast by staying hydrated and eating nutritional foods. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 30 July 2025
Adjective
Some take detours, swirling sideways beneath the surface, subtly shaping how far and fast a landslide travels. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2025 Producers cut away immediately, but not fast enough. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025 All in the name of moving faster. —Jason Del Rey, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
All of that data floods into onboard computers for fast processing and control. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025 Verstappen achieved the fastest average speed over a lap with his pole position lap, breaking a record that will be entered in the Guinness World Records. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fast
  1. quickly
  2. quite
  3. rapid
  4. loyal
  5. tight
  6. deceptive
  7. sturdy
  8. short
Adverb
  • The job market moves quickly, and preparation is your competitive advantage.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Conversely, people who live in an arid climate might find that dust builds up quickly, especially around doorways and windows, which are common entry points for outside dirt, requiring more frequent sweeping.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.
    — Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But then Belly scraps her Parisian plans and pledges her young life to Jeremiah, a rising super senior at Finch majoring in getting high and going to Cabo (which, quite honestly, is more age-appropriate than a wedding).
    — Vogue, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of quite
Adjective
  • Unrivaled also saw rapid growth across digital platforms during its first season.
    — Roberta F. Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of rapid expansion, Johnson focuses on sustainable growth.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Somehow, the upper hand never lingers long with Sally and Barnaby, drolly played by Gunning and Corden as a conniving Tweedledee and Tweedledum, loyal to no one and convinced their venality is justified by their father’s history of terrible parenting.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike the last two prime ministers, Lecornu has been a loyal lieutenant at the center of the president’s project in government, Lazar said.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of loyal
Adjective
  • Credit spreads are at their tightest in about 20 years, meaning there is little difference in yields between corporate bonds compared to government bonds.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The project, created under tight deadlines and with hobby-grade parts, is now on track for wider military use.
    — Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Agencies would review requests, balancing innovation against risks such as economic harm or deceptive practices.
    — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There will be a temptation because of his height to draw parallels with Moyes’ use of Marouane Fellaini and Soucek, two key pillars of his Everton and West Ham sides, but where Rohl is concerned, his size can be deceptive.
    — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The sturdy steel frame holds up to 650 pounds, while the insulated cup holders cool and keep drinks within reach.
    — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • If possible, drive to a nearby sturdy building.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • Such a short distance is considered well within reach of a basic marksman.
    — Will Carless, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In short, The Paper doesn’t quite escape the shadow of its big brother, but that’s just fine with us.
    — Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of short

Browse Nearby Words

fashions
fast
fastback
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Cite this Entry

“Fast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fast. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on fast

Nglish: Translation of fast for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fast

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