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swiftly

swiftly

84 1.0
Quickly and smoothly
  • adverb
  • /ˈswɪftli/
translation icon : rápidamente
  • The overthrow of the Taliban in 2001 was carried out swiftly with minimal U.S. casualties and low costs.
  • move swiftly
  • act swiftly
  • come swiftly

There comes a Sparrow and swiftly flies through the house.

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Examples

  • So I decided swiftly to fly it back.

  • Like deal with it directly and swiftly and honestly.

  • Don, thank you for calling me back so swiftly.

  • Good news, though, Switzerland's central bank has swiftly entered the scene.

  • The combined forces of demographics, social changes, and advancing technology create a swiftly changing society.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Meanwhile, the federal government moved swiftly to implement the terms of the New Echota treaty.

    Academic text (2011)
  • With new troops and resources, Admiral Apraxin was able to swiftly advance into southern Finland.

  • Adversaries are dealt with swiftly, and the damage caused to one's career or reputation usually cannot be repaired.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The cheetah chased its prey swiftly across the grasslands.

  • She completed the project swiftly and moved on to the next task.

Synonyms

fast
vsswiftly
1.0

Moving or happening quickly

adds smooth, flowing quality to that high rate
quickly
vsswiftly
1.0

At a fast speed or without delay

includes smooth, flowing motion as well as high speed
immediately
vsswiftly
1.0

At once without waiting

suggests smooth high speed action rather than timing only
right away
vsswiftly
960 1.0

Without any delay

conveys smooth rapid motion rather than immediate start only
rapidly
vsswiftly
446 1.4

In a very short time

adds smoothness to that great speed
at once
vsswiftly
344 1.0

Immediately without delay

describes fast, smooth movement rather than only instant response
instantly
vsswiftly
330 1.0

Right away without any delay

is about rapid smooth motion rather than mere immediacy
readily
vsswiftly
163 2.3

Without trouble or delay

focuses on smooth physical motion rather than ease alone
quick
vsswiftly
  • Informal
130 1.0

Happening or done without any delay

describes smooth, high speed motion rather than just informal promptness
promptly
vsswiftly
98 2.1

Without delay or at the planned time

refers to rapid smooth action rather than punctual timing
in the blink of an eye
vsswiftly
  • Informal
50 3.3

Very quickly, in almost no time

means quick smooth movement rather than abrupt suddenness
hastily
vsswiftly
49 3.5

In a quick, careless way

describes fast controlled movement rather than careless haste
in a flash
vsswiftly
  • Informal
35 2.5

Very quickly in a single moment

is fast and smooth rather than abrupt sudden change
on the double
vsswiftly
  • Informal
27 3.7

Very quickly and without delay

is fast and smooth rather than only hurried obedience
instantaneously
vsswiftly
25 5.6

Happen at once without delay

conveys smooth speed and flow rather than instant timing
briskly
vsswiftly
24 3.5

Quickly and with a lot of energy to get things done

is smoother and more flowing than merely energetic action
hurriedly
vsswiftly
23 3.2

Acting quickly with little care

is fast but careful and smooth rather than hasty and careless
in short order
vsswiftly
13 3.5

Very quickly without delay

suggests fast smooth action rather than mere timeliness
expeditiously
vsswiftly
11 7.3

In a quick and efficient way

refers to physical smooth motion rather than task efficiency
in haste
vsswiftly
9 2.8

Quickly and without careful thought

shows fast smooth action rather than rushed lack of care
straightaway
vsswiftly
7 3.2

Without delay after something happens

is fast and smooth rather than only immediate timing
speedily
vsswiftly
6 2.4

To act quickly without delay

also suggests smooth continuous motion rather than mere promptness
in a snap
vsswiftly
  • Informal
3 3.0

It happens very quickly with little effort

refers to smooth, flowing speed rather than simple ease
post-haste
vsswiftly
  • Formal
3 7.4

As quickly as possible

is rapid but calmer and smoother rather than frantic urgency
at lightspeed
vsswiftly
  • Informal
1 5.1

To happen or be done very quickly

denotes high speed with controlled smoothness rather than sheer extremity
superfast
vsswiftly
1 3.2

Moving or working much faster than usual

is fast yet implies smoother, less extreme motion
at a good clip
vsswiftly
  • Informal
1 6.0

Moving at a fairly fast speed

places more focus on smooth flowing movement than pace alone
quick as a flash
vsswiftly
  • Informal
1 2.0

Happen very fast

denotes fast smooth motion rather than sudden instantness
quick sticks
vsswiftly
  • UK
1 8.8

Very fast without waiting

is fast with smooth movement rather than only colloquial haste
like Speedy Gonzales
vsswiftly
  • Informal
1 8.0

In a very quick way, like someone running fast

expresses fast smooth motion without comic or playful reference
fleetly
vsswiftly
7.9

To do something quickly and smoothly

is more about smooth sustained speed rather than nimbleness
double quick
vsswiftly
  • Informal
4.1

Very fast, without delay

is rapid but also smooth rather than pressured haste
straightway
vsswiftly
  • Archaic
6.6

Immediately without any delay

implies smooth, flowing movement rather than instant timing
with a quickness
vsswiftly
  • Informal
7.2

In a very short time

is fast but emphasizes smooth movement rather than urgency
in jig time
vsswiftly
  • Archaic
7.9

In a very short time

implies smooth rapid motion rather than merely short duration
in quick sticks
vsswiftly
  • Archaic
9.9

Very quickly and in a hurry

is fast and smooth rather than hurried and careless
sharpish
vsswiftly
  • UK
6.5

Soon, without much delay

means fast and smooth rather than merely happening soon

Antonyms

1.0

At a low speed without hurrying

273 1.9

Slowly and steadily over time

How Fast

rapidly
446 1.4
swiftly
84 1.0
quickly
1.0
moderately
47 2.8
slowly
1.0

Surface Forms

swiftly positive
swifter comparative
swiftest superlative

Morphology

swiftly = swift (transparent) = swift + ly

Standard adverbial formation from the adjective 'swift' with the productive suffix '-ly', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

The word swiftly comes from the adjective swift, which means 'quick' and is also the name of a very fast bird called the swift. So swiftly means 'in a quick, smooth way'.