expeditious

adjective

ex·pe·di·tious | \ ˌek-spə-ˈdi-shəs

Definition of expeditious

: marked by or acting with prompt efficiency

Other Words from expeditious Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Real Root of Expeditious Example Sentences Learn More about expeditious

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Choose the Right Synonym for expeditious

fast, rapid, swift, fleet, quick, speedy, hasty, expeditious mean moving, proceeding, or acting with celerity. fast and rapid are very close in meaning, but fast applies particularly to the thing that moves fast horses and rapid to the movement itself. rapid current swift suggests great rapidity coupled with ease of movement. returned the ball with one swift stroke fleet adds the implication of lightness and nimbleness. fleet runners quick suggests promptness and the taking of little time. a quick wit speedy implies quickness of successful accomplishment speedy delivery of mail and may also suggest unusual velocity. hasty suggests hurry and precipitousness and often connotes carelessness. a hasty inspection expeditious suggests efficiency together with rapidity of accomplishment. the expeditious handling of an order

The Real Root of Expeditious

Like expeditious, all of the following words contain ped. Can you guess which ones get those three letters from the same Latin root as expeditious?
encyclopedia expedition stampede torpedo orthopedic impede
The Latin source of expeditious is the verb expedire, which means "to extricate," to prepare, or to be useful. The ped is from pes, meaning "foot." (The ex- means "out of," and the literal sense of expedire is to free the feet.) The ped in impede also comes from pes. But the ped in encyclopedia and orthopedic is from the Greek pais, meaning "child"; stampede is from the Spanish estampar, meaning "to stamp"; and torpedo is from the Latin torpere, meaning "to be sluggish." What about expedition? Meaning both a journey and promptness, it too is from expedire."

Examples of expeditious in a Sentence

a company that is well-regarded for its expeditious handling of any request or complaint

Recent Examples on the Web

As the New York Times first reported and The Washington Post has confirmed, McConnell spoke to Trump on Friday and raised that prospect that either Kavanaugh or Barrett could unnecessarily jeopardize an expeditious confirmation of the new justice. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, "The most interesting late development in Trump’s Supreme Court derby," 9 July 2018 These special proceedings are an expeditious means for the attorney general to halt ongoing damage by a business, but also seek relief for the victims. — Danny Cevallos, NBC News, "What the NY AG must do to prove ‘pervasive sexual harassment’ by Weinstein," 12 Feb. 2018 Maine Governor Paul LePage has welcomed the Avangrid project and vowed an expeditious permitting review. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "Mass., utilities cut ties with Northern Pass power line project," 28 Mar. 2018 By definition, the state of emergency permits the suspension or invocation of certain governmental functions to allow the expeditious handling of an emergency. — Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018 All of this will make an expeditious switch away from coal power rather difficult. — Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, "China’s Clean Energy Future Has a $1.2 Trillion Problem," 11 Dec. 2017 Most consumers would have been worse off since arbitration provides an expeditious and inexpensive way to resolve disputes. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "McConnell 1, Cordray 0," 25 Oct. 2017 Finally, government officials have at least a reasonably strong interest in moderating discussion on their Facebook pages in an expeditious manner. — David Kravets, Ars Technica, "Politicians’ social media pages can be 1st Amendment forums, judge says," 28 July 2017 The expeditious handling and quick-unloading of freight cars today is a most important factor in industrial war mobilization, particularly in handling iron ore at the docks. — Daniel C. Schlenoff, Scientific American, "Hyperefficient Agriculture, 50 Years Ago and Now," 24 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expeditious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for expeditious

expeditious

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of expeditious

formal : acting or done in a quick and efficient way

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expeditious

Definition of expeditious

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Choose the Right Synonym for expeditious

The Real Root of Expeditious

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expeditious

Definition of expeditious

Other Words from expeditious

Synonyms for expeditious

Choose the Right Synonym for expeditious

The Real Root of Expeditious

Examples of expeditious in a Sentence

First Known Use of expeditious

English Language Learners Definition of expeditious

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