Another word for fast
The best other words for fast are fleet, expeditiously, abstain and staunch.
- Most formal
- fleet, expeditiously, staunch
- Strongest
- starve, immovable, rapid
- Casual
- speedy, tight
- Instead of “very fast”
- quick, rapid, swift
Fast /fæst/ (adjective, adverb, noun, verb): Moving or happening quickly; also used for food abstinence and to describe firm attachment or a period of abstaining from food. In simple words: moving very quickly, or not eating food, or held firmly in place. Below are 24 rated synonyms across 4 senses, plus 28 more related words. Tap a chip for its nuance and an example.
24 synonyms shown
Quick movement · adjective
moving or able to move at high speed
Very quickly · adverb
at high speed; without delay
Abstain from food · verb
to go without food for a period, usually for religious or health reasons
Firm attachment · adjective
fixed firmly or securely; difficult to move
Find the right strength and register
Drag the amber target to how strong and how formal you need the word to be. The three closest synonyms light up.
You asked for: equal strength, neutral register
- quick — more general and less forceful
- rapid — more formal, emphasizes speed of process
- speedy — friendly, informal emphasis on speed
The dashed ring marks “fast” itself: neutral strength, neutral register.
Synonyms for fast in your sentence
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How to choose
Choose the plainest synonym when you just mean speed, and reserve more formal words like rapid, swiftly, or expeditiously for reports and polished prose. For the food sense, fast is the standard verb; avoid speed-related synonyms, which do not fit that meaning.
Antonyms of fast
- slow
- sluggish
- leisurely
- idle
- lax
- unstable
All synonyms at a glance
| Synonym | Strength | Formality | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| quick | 2/5 | neutral | casual, business, academic |
| rapid | 3/5 | formal | business, academic |
| speedy | 3/5 | casual | casual, business |
| swift | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, creative |
| brisk | 2/5 | neutral | business, casual |
| hasty | 2/5 | neutral | academic, business, casual |
| fleet | 3/5 | academic | creative, academic |
| quickly | 2/5 | neutral | casual, business, academic |
| rapidly | 3/5 | formal | academic, business |
| swiftly | 3/5 | formal | business, academic, creative |
| promptly | 2/5 | formal | business, academic |
| speedily | 3/5 | neutral | business, academic, casual |
| expeditiously | 3/5 | academic | business, academic |
| abstain | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, casual |
| go without food | 3/5 | neutral | casual, academic |
| starve | 5/5 | neutral | casual, creative |
| diet | 2/5 | neutral | casual, business |
| fasting | 3/5 | formal | academic, business, casual |
| firm | 2/5 | neutral | casual, business, academic |
| secure | 3/5 | neutral | business, academic, casual |
| tight | 2/5 | casual | casual, business |
| stable | 3/5 | formal | academic, business |
| immovable | 4/5 | formal | academic, creative, business |
| staunch | 3/5 | academic | creative, academic |
Instead of “very fast”
One precise word usually beats an intensifier. See the full words instead of “very” list.
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| very fast | quick, rapid, swift |
| quite fast | fairly quick, rather rapid, somewhat swift |
| fast and firm | steady, secure, tight |
More words related to fast
Looser matches and phrases, unrated. Check the sense before you swap one in, or compare it with “fast”.
- high-speed
- fleet-footed
- briskly
- in a flash
- at high speed
- at top speed
- at full speed
- at a run
- at breakneck speed
- at great speed
- hurriedly
- at once
- immediately
- instantaneously
- foodless
- hungry
- on an empty stomach
- self-denial
- close
- snug
- snugly
- securely
- fixed
- locked
- resolute
- constant
- unmoving
- unshakable
Questions about synonyms for fast
What is the most formal or academic synonym for fast?
It depends on the sense. For speed, rapid and expeditiously are among the most formal choices; for firm attachment, stable or immovable can sound more formal than fast.
What is a stronger or milder alternative to fast?
A milder alternative is quick or brisk, which sounds less forceful. A stronger alternative is rapid or swift, which emphasizes speed more strongly or more elegantly.
Is fast usually better than quickly?
Fast is usually the adjective or adverb of choice in everyday speech, especially in phrases like a fast car or move fast. Quickly is more neutral as an adverb and often sounds a bit more formal in writing.
What is another word for fast when it means moving quickly?
Common alternatives include quick, rapid, swift, and speedy. The best choice depends on the context: swift often sounds more formal or literary, while quick is very common in everyday speech.
What can I say instead of fast when I mean not eating food?
You can say fasting, going without food, or abstaining from food. In everyday speech, people often say not eating; fasting is the most common single-word term.