rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r 

1

: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession

2

: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness

a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Synonyms

• blistering
• breakneck
• breathless
• brisk
• dizzy
• fast
• fleet
• fleet-footed
• flying
• galloping
• hasty
• hot
• lightning
• nippy
• quick
• rapid
• rattling
• snappy
• speedy
• splitting
• swift
• whirlwind
• zippy

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning

Recent Examples on the Web

Follow today’s live blog for updates ➤ HEARING HIGHLIGHT: Trump’s EPA nominee acknowledges climate change: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) asked Lee Zeldin rapid-fire questions about climate change. —Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025

The official ejected Cronin after more complaints with 5 minutes 14 seconds left, the UCLA coach sent to the locker room after two rapid-fire technical fouls. —Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Money Heist became an international hit with rapid-fire plot twists for five seasons, which is practically geriatric in Netflix years. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025

The phone also features a triple 50-megapixel camera with Clear Burst rapid-fire photo settings to capture all the fastest action. —Advertising Content From Oneplus, PCMAG, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire

ˌrap-əd-ˈfī(ə)r

1

: able to fire shots rapidly

a rapid-fire weapon

2

: marked by a rapid rate or pace

spoke rapid-fire Spanish