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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.

The Council must now "swiftly develop the necessary defensive response" to the situation, French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont said on Thursday.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Although the army said it responded swiftly to Sunday's attack, local media report that residents said the gunmen operated for a long time without facing resistance.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 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

A figure was walking swiftly past a top-floor window, and its face was contorted with anger.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

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.