Skip to main content
dispatch

dispatch

6 6.4
Quick and efficient work to finish a task
  • noun
  • /dɪˈspætʃ/
  • Formal
: prontitud
  • With his usual dispatch, Rogers gave his report.
  • act with dispatch

Examples

  • Following September 11, Congress acted with dispatch to set up a program to build a bioterrorism response capability in this country.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The rescue team responded with great dispatch to ensure the safety of the stranded hikers.

  • A central bank has the freedom to act with dispatch within days.

    Academic text (1999)
  • We'll press on with all possible dispatch.

  • Tobacco needed to be moved with dispatch because market prices could change quickly.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The few problem cases she handled with humor and dispatch.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The Council acted with great dispatch, got both sides behind their respective frontiers, and ended the episode quickly.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Proceeding with all dispatch.

  • Arnaud ate with dispatch, if not relish, and did not seem disposed to offer further conversation.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • But Walton has done it briskly and, doubtless aided by the economic downturn of the past three years, with great dispatch.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

immediacy
vsdispatch
15 5.8

A feeling that you are experiencing something directly right now

focuses on efficient and prompt task completion rather than directness
promptness
vsdispatch
3 3.5

Doing something quickly and at the expected time

emphasizes doing tasks efficiently rather than only being on time
promptitude
vsdispatch
1 9.5

Acting quickly without delay when action is needed

adds the idea of efficiency in task completion as well
expeditiousness
vsdispatch
1 8.6

Quick and efficient action that gets work done

is about prompt efficiency when completing duties or specific tasks
immediateness
vsdispatch
1 8.1

Happening right away with nothing in between

stresses efficient duty completion beyond mere lack of delay

Antonyms

24 4.2

A situation when work wastes time, money or effort

Compounds

A short message sent by radio to a central office or to the public

dispatch rider
  • Archaic
1 8.3

A person who carries messages for the army by motorcycle often during war

dispatch box
  • Formal
1 8.8

A locked box used to carry and keep important government papers like speeches

dispatch case
  • Formal
1 7.8

A small lockable case for carrying important papers like letters or legal documents

Reuters dispatch
  • Literature
1 3.5

A news report from the Reuters news agency

happy dispatch
  • Archaic
7.6

A message that gives good news to people

How Prompt

alacrity
5 8.4
dispatch
  • Formal
6 6.4
punctuality
17 3.5
inefficiency
24 4.2
slowness
9 1.1

Surface Forms

dispatch singular
dispatches plural

Etymology

Dispatch carried the idea of doing things quickly and without delay. That's why dispatch now also means promptness and efficiency in finishing a task.