Shareholders were concerned about the company's swift expansion overseas.
Source: tatoeba (21195)
Swift
/swɪft/
Synonyms for "swift" (210 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (42)
Noun(14 words)
birdblazingblue-bellybrightclevercursoriusdartingexpeditiousexplosive accelerationexponentialexpress in component formexpress supportfastfast one
Verb(2 words)
brisksexpress clearly
Strong matches (63)
Noun(12 words)
Adjective(10 words)
festinatefeverishflashingflat-outfleetflickeringflyingfull tiltfuriousgallopinghair triggerhair-triggerhastyheadlonghurriedhustlingimmediateimpetuousimpulsiveinstant
Show 20 more words
instantaneousjohnny on the spotlast minutelast-minutelightlight footedlight of heellight-footedlivelymagpiemercurialmeteoricnerve-shatteringnimblenimble footednimble-footedon the spotpassingposthasteprecipitant
Verb(1 words)
Related words (105)
Noun(33 words)
Adverb(1 words)
Adjective(25 words)
quick appraisalquick drawingquick mass measurementrapid adoptionrapid calculationrapid changerapid collapserapid decision makingrapid lungerapid motion-changerapid pacerapid reactionrapid responserapid societal collapserapid technology upheavalrapid transitionrushlikeshort focus pausespecial meetingsprightliest
Show 5 more words
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abrupt, abrupt turn, accelerated pace, agile, alacritous.
- Sentence evidence is available for swift, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "swift".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "swift"
Keep "swift" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "swift" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "swift", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "swift" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
15 entriesanimalapodiform birdbeingbirdcognitive abilitycreatureefficiencyentityfence lizardintelligencepersonpromptnessqualityspeedvertebrate
More specific
11 entriesbriskcommon swiftfast moverfleet-footedhouse swiftimmediateinstantaneouspallid swiftquick-wittedsharp-mindedspeedster
Collocations
10 entriescommon swiftpallid swiftswift actionswift birdswift flightswift migrationswift movementswift paceswift responseswift turnaround
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriessimilar
1 entriesSample sentences
25 total sentences available.
The swallow is swift in flight.
Source: tatoeba (39801)
The spider responds with a swift attack.
Source: tatoeba (50543)
Life is short and time is swift.
Source: tatoeba (270589)
Showing 4 of 25 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "swift"?
Closest matches include abrupt, abrupt turn, accelerated pace, agile, alacritous.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "swift"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.