The hurricane is picking up speed as it approaches the coast.
Synonyms and examplesspeed upThe car sped up to 100 mph.
gain speedAccidents often happen when a driver gains speed going downhill.
gather speedThe economic recovery was starting to gather speed.
accelerateThe vehicle accelerated around the turn.
up the paceinformalHe upped the pace before the end of the race.
expediteformalIn certain circumstances, we may be able to expedite the processing of your passport.
Antonym and exampleslow downThe van slowed down and then stopped.
Go to the thesaurus article about these synonyms and antonyms ofpick up speed.
See alsofast
quick
prompt
speedy
swift
hasty
hurried
brisk
rapid
expeditiousformal
high-speed
quickly
swiftly
briskly
precipitously
apaceformal or literary
in a flashinformal
at breakneck speed
in the twinkling of an eyeold-fashioned
speed
race
fly
beltUKinformal
tearinformal
streak
hurtle
career
careenmainlyUS
bolt
shoot
spring
dive
jump
hurry
rush
dash
hotfoot itinformal
stride
march
charge
sail
like the clappersUKold-fashionedold-fashioned
go hell for leatherold-fashionedold-fashioned
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If someone or something moves at a high speed or happens in a short amount of time, you can call that person or thingfast. Things that happen or are doneat a fast speedare also described as fast. You can also talk aboutmoving fast, orgetting faster.