swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement.
returned the ball with one swift stroke
fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness.
fleet runners
quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time.
a quick wit
speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment
speedy delivery of mail
and may also suggest unusual velocity.
hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness.
a hasty inspection
expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment.
the expeditious handling of an order
Example Sentences
They wished her a speedy recovery. a speedy worker but not a very careful one, unfortunately
Recent Examples on the WebUkraine’s speedy advance helps its cause on many fronts, starting with a morale swing in its favor. Daniel Michaels, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 The system is moving northeast at a speedy 35 mph and is expected to become an extratropical low by Saturday afternoon. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Sep. 2022 Smith’s pass was hauled in by Cespedes near midfield and the speedy senior headed toward the end zone. Randy Mcroberts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2022 McDaniel, the rookie head coach, packs offensive creativity with talented, speedy players and a defense that seems to have play-making potential. Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 The Commanders have three exciting wide receivers in Terry McLaurin, speedy Curtis Samuel and rookie Jahan Dotson. Fred Bowen, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The severing of economic ties with Western countries after its invasion of Ukraine has pushed Russia into a speedy reorientation of its economy toward Asia, most of all China, making a meeting with Mr. Xi particularly important.New York Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Burns insisted his studio would not do a speedy or careless deal. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 Coming off a 31-7 loss to Syracuse, the Cardinals head to Orlando to take on the speedy Knights in a 7:30 p.m. Friday Week 2 clash. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 7 Sep. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English spedi "beneficial, unencumbered, agile, prompt," from sped "luck, success, assistance, rate of progress" + -i-y entry 1 — more at speed entry 1