expedite

[ek-spi-dahyt]

See more synonyms for expedite on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ex·pe·dit·ed, ex·pe·dit·ing.

to speed up the progress of; hasten: to expedite shipments.
to accomplish promptly, as a piece of business; dispatch: to expedite one's duties.
to issue or dispatch, as an official document or letter.

adjective

Obsolete. ready for action; alert.

Origin of expedite

1425–75; late Middle English < Latin expedītus (past participle of expedīre to disengage, set the feet free), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + ped- (stem of pēs) foot + -ītus -ite²

Related formsun·ex·pe·dit·ed, adjective

Synonyms for expedite

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1. quicken, push, accelerate, hurry.

Antonyms for expedite

1. delay.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for expediting

urge, hasten, facilitate, assist, accelerate, promote, speed, quicken, advance, rush, dispatch, forward, press, precipitate, railroad, hurry, hand-carry, hand-walk

Examples from the Web for expediting

Contemporary Examples of expediting

Forget about President Obama expediting U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan this year.
Why Obama Won’t Speed U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Afghanistan
Leslie H. Gelb
March 19, 2012
You would think that the Pentagon brass would be expediting the full opening of a new brain trauma facility in Bethesda, Maryland.
The Pentagon's New Disservice to Soldiers
Leslie H. Gelb
July 24, 2010

Historical Examples of expediting

Remain as you are, monsieur, and give the time to expediting our supper.
The Queen's Necklace
Alexandre Dumas pre
It had only the effect, as far as we could judge, of expediting the movements of the fugitives.
With Axe and Rifle
W.H.G. Kingston
After this go into Committee, and succeed in not expediting progress.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 105 December 9, 1893
Various
This apprehension had the effect of expediting matters considerably.
Twelve Years a Slave
Solomon Northup
If this were really the only object, then every plan for expediting the acquisition would be received with grateful approbation.
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction.
Various

British Dictionary definitions for expediting

expedite

verb (tr)

to hasten the progress of; hasten or assist
to do or process (something, such as business matters) with speed and efficiency
rare to dispatch (documents, messages, etc)

adjective obsolete

unimpeded or prompt; expeditious
alert or prepared

Word Origin for expedite

C17: from Latin expedīre, literally: to free the feet (as from a snare), hence, liberate, from ex- 1 + pēs foot

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

Word Origin and History for expediting

expedite

late 15c. (implied in past participle expedit), from Latin expeditus, past participle of expedire "extricate, disengage, liberate; procure, make ready, make fit, prepare," literally "free the feet from fetters," hence "liberate from difficulties," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + *pedis "fetter, chain for the feet," related to pes (genitive pedis) "foot" (see foot). Cf. Greek pede "fetter." Related: Expedited; expediting.