hasten

Move more quickly

Hasten means to move or act quickly, or to cause something to happen sooner.

You might hasten to add a clarification, or hasten someone's departure with a pointed remark.

We hastened to reassure her.

The scandal hastened his downfall.

The word carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to hurry or rush.

hurry

rush

Quick sudden movement

  • dashQuick burst or pinch
  • sprintBrief maximum-speed effort
  • raceCompetition of speed

scurry · hustle · bustle · bolt · dart · gallop · scamper · hurtle · flee · scramble

expedite

facilitate

Make something easier

enable · optimize · simplify · smooth · clear the way · cut through · push through · fast-track · grease the wheels · shortcut

accelerate

speed up

Increase velocity or rate

escalate · intensify · step up · rev up · boost · turbocharge · fast-forward · gain momentum · snowball · compound

premature

precipitate

Headlong and reckless

cause · induce · provoke · invite · court · bring about · usher in · lead to · foster · foment

urge

impel

Drive to act

  • spurIncentive or heel device
  • goadIncite to action
  • prodJab to spur action

press · push · drive · propel · prompt · incite · pressure · compel · force · nudge

Categories
Opposites
speed of movement or action

hastendawdle

Linger without purpose

crawl · creep · lag · linger · loiter

facilitation vs. impediment of progress

hastendelay

Enforced waiting period

retard · slow · slow down · postpone · decelerate

temporal attitude or disposition

hastenprocrastinate

Delay action unnecessarily

dally · delay · hesitate · stall · wait

Phrases
Family

hasty, haste, hastily, hastiness, hastening, hastened, hastens, posthaste, overhasty

Familiarity
Top 100,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G