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

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

The speed with which their bipartisan intentions fall apart is as remarkable, even if the result is unsurprising. —

Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025 Boom’s plan is that Overture will be in operation before the end of the decade, carrying 64 to 80 passengers at Mach 1.7, about twice the speed of today’s subsonic airliners. —

Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025

Verb

Additionally, Starbucks has promised to speed up service, with a target of brewing fresh coffee in under four minutes, all while keeping prices steady through fiscal 2025. —

Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 28 Jan. 2025 Check out the first trailer below for shots of Cruise clinging onto a speeding biplane, sneaking through a busy square in London, and having a fistfight on board a sinking submarine. —

Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for speed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed

Noun

Defensive backs struggled to judge his easy velocity.

— Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025
If the velocity is much lower than the speed of light, then the energy is approximately: That 1/2mv2 might look familiar.

— Rhett Allain, WIRED, 24 Jan. 2025