Another Word for Quick: 19 Synonyms with Examples
“Quick” means fast, short in time, or quick-witted. The right synonym depends on whether you mean speed, duration or intelligence.
As an adjective: moving or done at speed
- fast
- rapid
- swift
- speedy
- hasty
- prompt
- brisk
As an adjective: lasting a short time
- brief
- short
- fleeting
- momentary
- hurried
- cursory
As an adjective: quick to understand
- sharp
- bright
- clever
- alert
- quick-witted
- astute
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- rapid
- Formal; often of change or growth.
- swift
- Fast and smooth; slightly literary or formal.
- prompt
- Done without delay: a prompt reply.
- brief
- Short in time, of meetings, visits or statements.
- hasty
- Too quick, without enough thought.
Example sentences
- rapid: The town saw rapid growth in the 1960s.
- swift: The council took swift action after the flood.
- prompt: Thank you for your prompt payment.
- brief: We had a brief chat before the meeting.
- hasty: Don't make a hasty decision.
Opposite of quick
- slow
- lengthy
- leisurely
- sluggish
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “quick”. Check the meaning before you use one.
adjective: flying, agile, nimble, spry, ready
adverb: promptly, quickly
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “quick”?
The most useful alternatives are “fast”, “rapid”, “swift”, “speedy”, “hasty”. For the main sense (moving or done at speed), “fast” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “rapid” and “swift”?
rapid: Formal; often of change or growth. swift: Fast and smooth; slightly literary or formal.
What is the opposite of “quick”?
Common antonyms are “slow”, “lengthy”, “leisurely”, “sluggish”.