rapidly

[rap-id-lee]

adverb

1. within a short period of time.

   There are thousands of languages spoken in the world today, but many of them are rapidly approaching obsolescence and extinction.

2. with great speed; swiftly.

   Bats are more likely than birds to detect rapidly spinning turbine blades and avoid flying into them.

Other Word Forms

• ultrarapidly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rapidly¹

rapid ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

For Oliphant, every part of the cartoon — subject, style and structure — is important, and it’s that reverence for attentive construction that’s been so rapidly phased out.

From Salon

California’s 34th District is overwhelmingly composed of renters and includes some of the most densely populated working-class neighborhoods in the country, as well as some of the most rapidly gentrifying sections of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

It was their preferred destination after reluctantly fleeing Afghanistan as violence rapidly escalated after the Taliban took over.

From BBC

An extensive global analysis of that data now reveals fresh water is rapidly disappearing beneath much of humanity’s feet, and large swaths of the Earth are drying out.

From Los Angeles Times

The first minister also announced that 20 children injured in Gaza would be brought to Scotland for medical treatment, while £400,000 was pledged for a rapidly deployable hospital for use in Gaza.

From BBC

Related Words

• briskly 
• expeditiously 
• fast 
• immediately 
• promptly 
• speedily www.thesaurus.com
• swiftly