expedite

American  

[ek-spi-dahyt] / ˈɛk spɪˌdaɪt /

verb (used with object)

expedited, expediting

1. to speed up the progress of; hasten.

   to expedite shipments.

   Synonyms:

   hurry, accelerate, push, quicken

   Antonyms:

   delay

2. to accomplish promptly, as a piece of business; dispatch.

   to expedite one's duties.

3. to issue or dispatch, as an official document or letter.

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adjective

1. Obsolete. ready for action; alert.

expedite British  

/ ˈɛkspɪˌdaɪt /

verb

1. to hasten the progress of; hasten or assist

2. to do or process (something, such as business matters) with speed and efficiency

3. rare to dispatch (documents, messages, etc)

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adjective

1. unimpeded or prompt; expeditious

2. alert or prepared

Etymology

Origin of expedite

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin expedītus (past participle of expedīre “to disengage, set the feet free”), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + ped- (stem of pēs ) foot + -ītus adjective suffix ( see -ite ²)

Explanation

To expedite something is to make it go faster or speed up the process. Expediting that package might get it to Alaska by tomorrow, instead of next Tuesday. If someone says, "Let me expedite the process," that's probably a good thing: they're offering to speed things up. If you've ever waited in line a long time, then you must have wished someone could expedite things. A driver can expedite his commute by going in the faster car-pool lane. Whenever there's a lot of paperwork for something, it's nice to know someone who can expedite the process. When you see the word expedite, think "Make faster!"

Example Sentences

Trump's order directed the Department of Justice to expedite the process.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Altogether, the order could expedite the approval of a new drug by as many as four months.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Then, in 2020, it pivoted again when it landed a $765 million government loan to help expedite domestic production of drugs such as the antimalarial medication hydroxychloroquine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Havering Council said it would continue to call on the government and the Greater London Authority for funding and support to expedite a legal solution.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

I drove back to Montgomery and thought about how to expedite Walter's release.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• accelerate
• assist
• facilitate
• hasten
• promote
• quicken
• speed
• urge