hasten

verb

has·​ten ˈhā-sᵊn 

hastened; hastening ˈhā-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈhās-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to move or act quickly

She hastened up the stairs.

transitive verb

1

: to encourage to move or act quickly : to urge on

hastened her to the door

—A. J. Cronin

2

: to cause to happen more quickly : accelerate

His death was hastened by alcoholism.

hasten the coming of a new order

—D. W. Brogan

hastener

ˈhā-sᵊn-ər 

ˈhās-nər

noun

Synonyms

• accelerate
• bundle
• fast-track
• hurry
• quicken
• rush
• speed (up)
• whisk

Examples of hasten in a Sentence

His death was hastened by alcohol abuse.

hasten the activation of yeast with heat

Recent Examples on the Web

That hastens the need for post-quantum cryptographic systems that can secure both quantum computers and classic ones. —Peter High, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

Centuries later, a devastating earthquake in 363 C.E. caused significant damage, hastening the city’s downfall. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Oct. 2024

But policy reforms and private-sector responses can hasten necessary adjustments. —Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024

Or, Sumner told me, the measure could hasten the death of the lamb industry altogether. —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see haste entry 1

First Known Use

1568, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing hasten

• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)

Kids Definition

hasten

verb

has·​ten ˈhā-sᵊn 

hastened; hastening ˈhās-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to urge on

2

: to speed up : accelerate

hastened my steps

3

: to move or act quickly : hurry

hastener

ˈhās-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun