Synonyms for

Rapidly

Verb / ˈræpʌdli: / Another word for rapidly — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Done or occurring in a short amount of time; moving or changing quickly

Synonyms & similar words

speedily apace quickly chopchop slowly quickly swiftly fast speedily hastily promptly briskly expeditiously fleetly hurriedly nimbly posthaste precipitately snappily expediently chop-chop

Synonyms by register

Formal

expeditiously swiftly promptly apace

Informal

quickly fast speedily like lightning

Literary

fleetly posthaste

Antonyms

slowly gradually leisurely sluggishly unhurriedly deliberately

Common collocations

  • growing rapidly
  • changing rapidly
  • spreading rapidly
  • moving rapidly
  • developing rapidly
  • declining rapidly
  • advancing rapidly

Word family

noun rapidity
adjective rapid
adverb rapidly

Usage note

Primarily used to describe speed of movement or change. Can sometimes imply a lack of thoroughness if used in contexts where deliberation is expected.

Example sentences

  1. He ate his food rapidly because he was late for school.
  2. The car was moving rapidly on the highway.
  3. The fire spread rapidly through the forest.
  4. The company is growing rapidly in the market.
  5. She typed rapidly on the keyboard to finish her work.

Quotes

  • Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind. The shadow is what we know. - Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow. - Rupert Murdoch
  • Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller

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