speed 1 of 2

noun

ˈspēd How to pronounce speed (audio)
Definition of speednext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 five-week assault at the beginning of the war wiped out Iran's limited air force, including its air defenses, and virtually all of its navy, aside from small speed boats. — Greg Myre, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Doeding also plans to host events like speed puzzling and pre-release card game experiences. — Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
Kitchens were structured for high throughput and delivery vehicles lined up on the other side of the building to take finished meals and speed them along critical thoroughfares for timely and low-cost delivery. — George C. Lee Ii, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026 OpenAI built the chips in record time by using its own AI models to speed up the design and verification phase of development. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speed
  1. velocity
  2. favorite
  3. race
  4. rate
  5. preference
  6. hurry
  7. travel
  8. rush
Noun
  • Essentially a form of computational fluid dynamics, the simulation divides the flow passages into a very large number of tiny regions and calculates things such as velocity, pressure, turbulence, and temperature throughout the component.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The curves ahead are posted at a third of my current speed, but the big Brembos scrub off velocity easily, and the Slingshot rails through corner after corner.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of velocity
Noun
  • The customer favorite is forged from iron, polypropylene, and wood, and provides a haven from wind, rain, and sun.
    — Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The sound of the new album is lush and emotional, which Louris sees as an echo of the pop melodies of an earlier record, 1997’s Sound of Lies, a longtime fan favorite.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of favorite
Verb
  • Dustin Arnold, were racing as fast as 120 mph in order to get to the scene.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In the span of less than a week this July, surgeons at a Southern California hospital raced to save the lives of two women suffering from alarmingly similar brain hemorrhages.
    — Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • Consequently, markets have already trimmed their Fed rate hike expectations.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Since his confirmation earlier this year, the central bank has split further on whether inflation is truly transitory; last month’s decision to keep rates steady resulted in the most dissents since 1970.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of rate
Noun
  • For this report, GlobalData also conducted a January-February 2026 survey of 3,268 American adults, asking specific questions about their behaviors and preferences for secondhand.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Kids arrive at stores with opinions already shaped by group chats, AI tools and social feeds, and preferences can flip quickly once the season is underway.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of preference
Verb
  • Jeremiah Martin had a quarterback hurry on third down, forcing a throwaway.
    — Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The other officers hurried to the second scene as Hernandez tackled a fleeing Edgar to the ground.
    — Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurry
Verb
  • Against all odds, Nene takes the road less traveled and apologizes.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • From a design-forward city escape to an eco-friendly island retreat (and a uniquely historic getaway coming soon), discover what Patina can offer globe-trotters interested in a transformative way of traveling through life and through the world.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of travel
Verb
  • Paramedics with the Liberty Fire Department rushed to his aid and took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Outside the emergency room entrance, Katie Winschief floated above her body as paramedics put her in a wheelchair and rushed her toward the hospital doors.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of rush

Phrases Containing speed

Browse Nearby Words

speechlessness
speed
speedboat
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on speed

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speed

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