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Synonyms

swiftly

American  
[swift-lee] / ˈswɪft li /

adverb

  1. with great speed or velocity.

    Catching a reflection in my mask lens, I swiftly turned around to see an 18-foot great white shark just yards away, looking straight at me!

  2. without delay; promptly; quickly.

    Behavior issues will be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

Etymology

Origin of swiftly

swift ( def. ) + -ly

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.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to give him a list of insurers that “acted swiftly, courageously, and bravely” to fulfill their legal obligation and another list of those that were “particularly bad.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Even if the war ends swiftly and the strait reopens, some of the losses won’t be easily reversed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

However, the post fell short of a formal apology, which could mean the controversy won’t end swiftly.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The force said a woman in her 20s was approached from behind by a 26-year-old man who was "swiftly" arrested after being held by staff at the venue.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

At first it edged by inches, but it drifted more swiftly as it reached the middle of the stream.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

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.