lightning

adjective

Definition of lightningnext
as in rapid
moving, proceeding, or acting with great speed he made a lightning dash for the goal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 lightning Digital assets are moving at hyper-lightning speed. — Manny Khan, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightning
  1. rapid
  2. quick
  3. fast
  4. brisk
  5. galloping
  6. swift
Adjective
  • Fire officials said the combination of dry brush and strong winds fueled the blaze's rapid growth.
    — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The quarterback struggles in camp bring into the realm of possibility Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan seeking an outside backup option off the waiver wire following roster cuts if Ewers doesn’t show rapid improvement.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of rapid
Adjective
  • Can the Bearcats move the ball against the experienced, quick defensive backfield of North Crowley?
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a glint of Miss Piggy’s quick wit in the comedic edge and blonde ambitions of Jennifer Coolidge.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick
Adjective
  • Jade Gao | Afp | Getty Images Shares of Shein fell 9% in their Hong Kong trading debut Tuesday, after a tepid IPO that saw the fast-fashion giant's valuation drop to nearly a quarter from its peak.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The 100-meter sprint in Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval brought together the world’s fastest runners, hurtling along at breakneck speed to shrieks of excitement from a captivated crowd.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fast
Adjective
  • Set physical activity goals and prioritize exercise, including both aerobic activities such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming, along with strength training.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Fredericson recommends simple, everyday activities such as brisk neighborhood walks, gardening, cycling, bodyweight exercises and even parking farther from the entrance at the grocery store.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of brisk
Adjective
  • As his health faded in the last year of his life, Neruda rushed to finish his story, which gives the last chapters of his book a galloping, fragmented quality.
    — Tunku Varadarajan, WSJ, 25 June 2021
  • Designed by renowned architect Dominique Perrault, its four stories tilting forward are said to evoke a galloping horse.
    — Rob Hodgetts at Longchamp, CNN, 15 Oct. 2019
Definition of galloping
Adjective
  • Dawadi’s quick thinking and swift response during the disaster have been hailed as an act of heroism.
    — Shonal Ganguly, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Analysts point out that if tech companies fail to beat market expectations, their stock prices could face swift downward pressure.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of swift

Phrases Containing lightning

Browse Nearby Words

lightness
lightning
lightning rod
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lightning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightning. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lightning

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lightning

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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