SPEED Synonyms: 162 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

speed 1 of 2

noun

ˈspēd

Definition of speed next

as in velocity

a high rate of movement or performance we dashed off the remaining paperwork with as much speed as possible so we could leave for the long weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in favorite

a person or thing that is preferred over others that kind of old-fashioned horror movie is just my speed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

speed

2 of 2

verb

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly a bullet train speeding across the lush countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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

As for driving, there are tons of speed, cell phone, and seatbelt cameras with hefty fines, so be aware. —

Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Dec. 2024 Connected to a Wi-Fi 6 access point, the Tab Plus reached a peak download speed of 334Mbps and a peak upload speed of 14.3Mbps. —

PCMAG, 17 Dec. 2024

Verb

Clary sage oil and tea tree oil are used to prevent ingrowns, reduce redness, and speed up the healing process. —

Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024 In the United States, algorithms are now embedded in companies and various levels of government, speeding along processes that used to be handled by humans. —

T.m. Brown, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for speed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed

Noun

Read more Solar system Watch: NASA Experts Discuss Mission to 'Touch the Sun' Archaeologists Discover Mysterious Floor of Bones in City Center Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile's Atacama Desert, astronomers detected and measured the high velocities of the D9 stars.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Here, the faster surface velocity of the rotating Earth means that a rocket can deliver around 24 percent more power than one fired from the Kennedy Space Center but with the same amount of thrust.

Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024