haste

noun

\ ˈhāst

Definition of haste

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : rapidity of motion : swiftness out of breath from haste— Jane Austen We must make haste.

2 : rash or headlong action : precipitateness She sent the letter in haste and later regretted it. the beauty of speed uncontaminated by haste — Harper's

3 : undue eagerness to act In their haste to leave for the airport, they forgot their passports.

haste

verb

hasted; hasting

Definition of haste (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

archaic : to urge on : hasten with our fair entreaties haste them on— William Shakespeare haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee jest and youthful jollity— John Milton

intransitive verb

: to move or act swiftly these minutes even now hasting into eternity— Winston Churchill

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about haste

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Choose the Right Synonym for haste

Noun

haste, hurry, speed, expedition, dispatch mean quickness in movement or action. haste applies to personal action and implies urgency and precipitancy and often rashness. marry in haste hurry often has a strong suggestion of agitated bustle or confusion. in the hurry of departure she forgot her toothbrush speed suggests swift efficiency in movement or action. exercises to increase your reading speed expedition and dispatch both imply speed and efficiency in handling affairs but expedition stresses ease or efficiency of performance and dispatch stresses promptness in concluding matters. the case came to trial with expedition paid bills with dispatch

Examples of haste in a Sentence

Noun

The application had been approved with undue haste. made haste to get there on time

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

This probably already sounds like a bunch of ideas thrown together in haste, which don’t really cohere. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Netflix’s Maniac, with Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, is either too weird or not weird enough," 21 Sep. 2018 In his haste to spill all the evening's details (and unload his own insecurities), Kevin tells Randall what Kate said. — Candice Frederick, Harper's BAZAAR, "This Is Us Season 2 Episode 2 Deals Randall a Truly Devastating Blow," 3 Oct. 2018 Greitens' behavior -- and his unwillingness to move off the political stage with all due haste -- badly complicates what should be a banner year for Missouri Republicans. — Chris Cillizza, CNN, "The Missouri Republican Party is a total dumpster fire," 19 Apr. 2018 That judicial haste was readily apparent when the AP attended three days of court sessions in Baghdad in late May. The court heard an average of a dozen cases a day, most involving accused IS members. — Hamza Hendawi, Washington Post, "A neighbor’s word can bring death sentence in Iraq IS trials," 9 July 2018 In his haste to cripple government regulation and publicize his success, Mr. Pruitt and his officials have failed to follow important procedures, and courts have already struck down at least six of his rollback efforts. — New York Times, "E.P.A. Chief Scott Pruitt Resigns Under a Cloud of Ethics Scandals," 5 July 2018 Gordon’s right hand swiped the corner right before the ball fell out of Perez’s glove in his haste to apply the tag. — Maria Torres, kansascity, "As Trevor Oaks wobbles and Alex Gordon steals home, Royals are swept by the Indians," 4 July 2018 Matz booted the ball in his haste to field it as Rojas scampered home to cut the deficit to 3-1. — Craig Davis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Mets cash in repeatedly with two-out runs to sink Straily, Marlins," 1 July 2018 In his haste to reach an agreement, President Trump elevated North Korea to the level of the United States while preserving the regime’s status quo. — Nicole Gaudiano, USA TODAY, "Democrats blast Trump for concessions he granted in U.S.-North Korea summit," 12 June 2018

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