345+ Synonyms For Quickly with Meanings and Examples In 2026

Quick Answer

Quickly means at a fast speed or in a short time. Common swaps include rapidly, swiftly, speedily, fast, and promptly.

You are writing an action scene and the word quickly appears in every other line. The pace starts to feel flat instead of urgent. This article offers 50 synonyms of quickly, each with a short meaning and two example sentences. The adverb describes an action done at high speed or without delay. It fits thrillers, news reports, sports writing, recipes, and everyday instructions. Writers look for alternatives because the same term loses its rush when repeated. A formal report may need a precise word, while a story may want something sharp and punchy. Some options describe plain speed, and others add a sense of urgency or suddenness. The list ahead covers that range, followed by a short quiz and common questions. Use it whenever a sentence needs a fresher way to describe fast action.

Table of Contents

50 Synonyms for Quickly

1. Rapidly

Short Meaning: At a very fast rate.

Example 1: The fire spread rapidly through the dry field.

Example 2: Prices rose rapidly last quarter.

2. Swiftly

Short Meaning: With smooth and fast movement.

Example 1: The runner moved swiftly past the pack.

Example 2: The team acted swiftly after the alert.

3. Speedily

Short Meaning: In a fast and efficient way.

Example 1: The nurse speedily cleaned the wound.

Example 2: The order was speedily processed.

4. Fast

Short Meaning: At high speed.

Example 1: She ran fast to catch the bus.

Example 2: The news traveled fast through town.

5. Promptly

Short Meaning: Without delay, on time.

Example 1: She replied promptly to the email.

Example 2: The bill was promptly paid.

6. Hastily

Short Meaning: Fast, often too fast to be careful.

Example 1: He hastily packed his bag.

Example 2: The note was hastily written.

7. Hurriedly

Short Meaning: In a rushed manner.

Example 1: She hurriedly left the meeting.

Example 2: The room was hurriedly cleaned.

8. Briskly

Short Meaning: In a quick and energetic way.

Example 1: He walked briskly to stay warm.

Example 2: The nurse moved briskly between beds.

9. Smartly

Short Meaning: Quickly and with good style.

Example 1: She smartly answered every question.

Example 2: The team smartly wrapped up the deal.

10. Instantly

Short Meaning: At once, without any gap.

Example 1: The app loaded instantly.

Example 2: He recognized her instantly.

11. Immediately

Short Meaning: Right away, with no waiting.

Example 1: Call the doctor immediately.

Example 2: The lights went off immediately.

12. At once

Short Meaning: Right now, without delay.

Example 1: Stop the machine at once.

Example 2: She left the room at once.

13. Right away

Short Meaning: Without any pause.

Example 1: I will send the file right away.

Example 2: He fixed the leak right away.

14. In a flash

Short Meaning: Very fast, in an instant.

Example 1: The cat was gone in a flash.

Example 2: The deal closed in a flash.

15. In an instant

Short Meaning: Almost instantly, in a breath.

Example 1: The mood changed in an instant.

Example 2: The car vanished in an instant.

16. In no time

Short Meaning: Very soon or very fast.

Example 1: Dinner was ready in no time.

Example 2: She learned the route in no time.

17. In a heartbeat

Short Meaning: Without any hesitation.

Example 1: He would help her in a heartbeat.

Example 2: She agreed in a heartbeat.

18. Without delay

Short Meaning: With no waiting at all.

Example 1: The crew responded without delay.

Example 2: Please confirm without delay.

19. On the double

Short Meaning: Very fast, often as an order.

Example 1: The sergeant called them on the double.

Example 2: Get the supplies here on the double.

20. At full speed

Short Meaning: As fast as possible.

Example 1: The train ran at full speed.

Example 2: The team worked at full speed before the launch.

21. At a gallop

Short Meaning: Very fast, like a running horse.

Example 1: He rode at a gallop to the village.

Example 2: The meeting moved at a gallop.

22. Like lightning

Short Meaning: Extremely fast.

Example 1: Her reply came like lightning.

Example 2: He moved like lightning to catch the ball.

23. Like a shot

Short Meaning: Very quickly and eagerly.

Example 1: He was off like a shot when the bell rang.

Example 2: She answered like a shot.

24. Posthaste

Short Meaning: With great speed, in formal tone.

Example 1: The letter was sent posthaste.

Example 2: They left posthaste for the airport.

25. Apace

Short Meaning: At a fast pace, in old or formal use.

Example 1: The work moved apace after the rain.

Example 2: The building rose apace.

26. Apace with

Short Meaning: At the same fast rate as something.

Example 1: The firm grew apace with demand.

Example 2: Skills must grow apace with technology.

27. Expeditiously

Short Meaning: In a fast and efficient manner.

Example 1: The claim was handled expeditiously.

Example 2: Please deal with this matter expeditiously.

28. Efficiently

Short Meaning: With speed and little waste.

Example 1: The crew worked efficiently all night.

Example 2: The app handles data efficiently.

29. Nimbly

Short Meaning: With quick and light movement.

Example 1: The dancer moved nimbly across the stage.

Example 2: He nimbly dodged the question.

30. Agilely

Short Meaning: With quick and easy motion.

Example 1: The climber moved agilely up the wall.

Example 2: She agilely changed her plan.

31. Fleetingly

Short Meaning: For a very short time.

Example 1: He saw her fleetingly at the station.

Example 2: The thought passed fleetingly through his mind.

32. Abruptly

Short Meaning: Suddenly and without warning.

Example 1: The music stopped abruptly.

Example 2: He left the meeting abruptly.

33. Suddenly

Short Meaning: Quickly and without warning.

Example 1: The sky suddenly turned dark.

Example 2: She suddenly remembered the appointment.

34. All at once

Short Meaning: Happening together and without warning.

Example 1: The lights went out all at once.

Example 2: The crowd cheered all at once.

35. Out of the blue

Short Meaning: Without any warning at all.

Example 1: The offer came out of the blue.

Example 2: He called out of the blue last week.

36. On the spot

Short Meaning: Right there and then.

Example 1: She answered on the spot.

Example 2: The offer was made on the spot.

37. There and then

Short Meaning: Immediately at that moment.

Example 1: He decided there and then to quit.

Example 2: She paid there and then.

38. Before you know it

Short Meaning: Sooner than expected.

Example 1: The weekend will be over before you know it.

Example 2: The kids grew up before you know it.

39. In the blink of an eye

Short Meaning: Extremely fast.

Example 1: The year passed in the blink of an eye.

Example 2: The scene changed in the blink of an eye.

40. At breakneck speed

Short Meaning: Dangerously fast.

Example 1: The car took the turn at breakneck speed.

Example 2: The team worked at breakneck speed.

41. At a clip

Short Meaning: At a fast and steady pace.

Example 1: He walked at a good clip.

Example 2: The project moved at a fair clip.

42. Hotfoot

Short Meaning: In a hurry, often on foot.

Example 1: She hotfooted it to the station.

Example 2: He came hotfoot from the office.

43. Hell for leather

Short Meaning: As fast as possible.

Example 1: They rode hell for leather to the town.

Example 2: He ran hell for leather to the gate.

44. Like the wind

Short Meaning: Very fast and smooth.

Example 1: The horse ran like the wind.

Example 2: She moved through the crowd like the wind.

45. Double quick

Short Meaning: Very fast, often as a command.

Example 1: The teacher told them to move double quick.

Example 2: He finished the chores double quick.

46. On the fly

Short Meaning: While moving or without pause.

Example 1: She made notes on the fly.

Example 2: He fixed the bug on the fly.

47. In a jiffy

Short Meaning: In a very short time.

Example 1: I will be back in a jiffy.

Example 2: She tidied the room in a jiffy.

48. In two shakes

Short Meaning: Very soon, in a moment.

Example 1: The cab arrived in two shakes.

Example 2: He will finish in two shakes.

49. Pronto

Short Meaning: Right away, in casual talk.

Example 1: Get over here pronto.

Example 2: She wanted the report pronto.

50. Snappily

Short Meaning: In a quick and lively way.

Example 1: He answered snappily to every query.

Example 2: The band played snappily all night.

Short Quiz

1: What does quickly mean in simple terms?

A. At a very slow speed
B. At a fast speed or in a short time
C. With great care
D. Without any effort

2: Which word best fits this sentence? The fire spread ______ through the dry field.

A. Rapidly
B. Painted
C. Cooked
D. Planted

3: How does promptly differ from hastily?

A. They mean exactly the same thing
B. Promptly means without delay, hastily means fast and often careless
C. Promptly is casual slang
D. Hastily only applies to cooking

4: Which choice sounds most formal in a business email?

A. Pronto
B. In a jiffy
C. Expeditiously
D. Hell for leather

5: A reply comes with no waiting at all. Which phrase fits best?

A. Without delay
B. On the fly
C. At a clip
D. Hotfoot

Quiz Answers

B. It means at a fast speed or in a short time.

A. Rapidly fits because it means at a very fast rate.

B. Promptly means without delay, while hastily means fast and often careless.

C. Expeditiously suits a business email because it means in a fast and efficient manner.

A. Without delay works because it means with no waiting at all.

FAQs

1: What is the best synonym for quickly?

Rapidly is often the best general choice because it covers the core idea in plain terms.

2: What is the simple meaning of quickly?

It means at a fast speed or in a short time.

3: What is a suitable formal alternative?

Expeditiously works well in business, legal, and official writing.

4: Can these words describe sudden events?

Yes, terms like suddenly, abruptly, and out of the blue all describe events without warning.

5: What is the opposite of quickly?

Slowly is a common opposite, meaning at a low speed or over a long time.

Conclusion

This set of synonyms of quickly gives writers, students, and reporters many ways to describe fast action. Some options point to plain speed, such as rapidly or swiftly, while others add urgency, like at once or without delay. The right pick depends on context, tone, and the exact feel you want. A news report may call for promptly, yet a thriller may prefer in the blink of an eye. Think about your reader before choosing a word. Read the sentence aloud and check that it sounds natural. Careful choices keep your writing sharp and lively. Keep this list nearby during editing, and let every sentence move at the right speed.