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Synonyms

expeditious

American  
[ek-spi-dish-uhs] / ˌɛk spɪˈdɪʃ əs /

adjective

  1. characterized by promptness; quick.

    an expeditious answer to an inquiry.
    Synonyms:
    rapid, fast, speedy, swift, prompt
    Antonyms:
    deliberate, leisurely, slow
expeditious British  
/ ˌɛkspɪˈdɪʃəs /

adjective

  1. characterized by or done with speed and efficiency; prompt; quick

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • expeditiously adverb
  • expeditiousness noun
  • nonexpeditious adjective
  • nonexpeditiousness noun
  • unexpeditious adjective
  • unexpeditiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of expeditious

First recorded in 1590–1600; exped(ition) + -itious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"All ships and aircraft enjoy the right of transit passage... for the purpose of continuous and expeditious transit of the strait," it states.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Now, however, it’s clear that, at least when it comes to this order, language like “most expeditious manner,” doesn’t necessarily mean that anything is changing anytime soon.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026

Orsted said in a statement after the ruling that Revolution Wind “will determine how best it may be possible to work with the U.S. administration to achieve an expeditious and durable result.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

The order said the attorney general should make those changes “in the most expeditious manner in accordance with federal law.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 18, 2025

More favors, innocent enough — packages to the mailbox, expeditious disposal of a bumblebee.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.