speed 1 of 2

speed

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun speed contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of speed are dispatch, expedition, haste, and hurry. While all these words mean "quickness in movement or action," speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action.

exercises to increase your reading speed

How are the words expedition and dispatch related as synonyms of speed?

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

Where would haste be a reasonable alternative to speed?

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

marry in haste

When might hurry be a better fit than speed?

The synonyms hurry and speed are sometimes interchangeable, but hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion.

in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush

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 speed
Noun
Germany will also hope 2022’s Young Player of the Tournament Lena Oberdorf returns to full speed after missing the latter half of 2024 with a cruciate and medial collateral ligament injury (ACL and MCL). Julia Ranney, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 Moreover, working the long head emphasizes the eccentric portion of a move—the part when the muscle is lengthening under load—which is a more effective way to improve strength, power, and speed performance compared to traditional resistance training, according to research. Jenny McCoy, SELF, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
His work had improved the use of electronic health records and sped up access to care for patients with heart disease. E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2025 Any suggestions on how to speed up the move without causing tension in the family? Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed
Noun
  • At low heights, though, the water’s velocity was too slow to effectively move through the coffee bed.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The quality of the resulting cup of coffee is dependent on such variables as the amount of coffee used, the jet radius, the pour height, and the flow velocity, all of which have an impact on how the water jet interacts with the bed of coffee grounds.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My favorites are clear after my testing: the Drybar Double-Shot ($155) and the T3 AireBrush Round ($160).
    Nena Farrell, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • That could happen again in the playoffs, as OKC will be heavy favorites in this first-round series.
    Nick Crain, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In the years since, the vehicles raced on tracks across the world have evolved.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Twisted Metal is racing toward its return to Peacock for Season 2, and the streamer has finally revealed when episodes will become available.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The deadline passed and the new U.S. tariff rate for Chinese imports came into effect.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The growth trajectory represents a 2.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2025, with online video claiming the lion’s share at $9.4 billion.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The deals are on now and are good until April 14, so hurry and upgrade your Microsoft Office system today.
    Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Listen to this article Mayor Adams on Monday urged the judge presiding over his public corruption case to hurry up and decide on outstanding dismissal motions before upcoming deadlines in the mayoral race.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It is set years after the Fantastic Four—Reed Richards, his wife Sue Storm, her brother Johnny Storm, and their friend Ben Grimm—travel into space, encounter radiation, and return to earth with superpowers.
    Eliana Dockterman, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Kathy McCabe has traveled to Italy multiple times a year for nearly three decades.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The mayhem unfolded after the teen was walking back into the lobby area when Sampson rushed over to the girl and grabbed her arm, the affidavit reads.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Sellers, a redshirt freshman taking over for Spencer Rattler, emerged as a dynamic dual threat, passing for 2,534 yards, rushing for 674 and generally providing belief to the rest of the team.
    Seth Emerson, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Ontario Home Builders’ Association warned last month that tariffs and counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum products would likely drive up the costs of construction materials, making building and buying new homes more expensive, worsening the housing affordability issue.
    Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
  • As tariffs are expected to drive prices up, consumers may be tempted to buy ahead, even big-ticket items such as cars, laptops, smartphones or even homes.
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speed. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on speed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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