What is the opposite of “delay”?

What is the antonym of “delay”?

The antonyms of delay are expedite, hasten, and accelerate. The antonyms expedite, hasten, and accelerate convey the idea of making something happen faster or more quickly.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

expedite

To make something happen more quickly or efficiently.

Example

The company decided to expedite the shipping process to ensure that the products arrived on time.

hasten

To cause something to happen more quickly; to move or act with speed.

Example

She tried to hasten the completion of her project by working late into the night.

accelerate

To increase the speed or rate of something.

Example

The driver decided to accelerate to pass the slow-moving vehicle in front of him.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Expedite implies making a process more efficient or faster, while hasten and accelerate imply making something happen more quickly.
• 2. Hasten suggests acting with speed or urgency, while accelerate suggests increasing the speed or rate of something.
• 3. Accelerate is often used in the context of physical movement, while hasten and expedite can be used in a wider range of contexts.

Good things to know

• 1. Business: Use expedite to describe the process of making something happen more quickly or efficiently.
• 2. Daily Life: Use hasten to describe the act of moving or acting with speed.
• 3. Driving: Use accelerate to describe the action of increasing the speed of a vehicle.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Expedite implies making a process more efficient or faster, hasten suggests acting with speed or urgency, and accelerate suggests increasing the speed or rate of something. Use these words in different contexts such as business, daily life, and driving to convey the idea of making something happen faster or more quickly.