rapid-fire

adjective

rap·​id-fire ˌra-pəd-ˈfī(-ə)r How to pronounce rapid-fire (audio)
1
: firing or adapted for firing shots in rapid succession
2
: marked by rapidity, liveliness, or sharpness
a comedian with a rapid-fire delivery

Examples of rapid-fire in a Sentence

the witness stayed unruffled all through the prosecutor's rapid-fire questioning
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Much like the DeSantis administration’s rapid-fire build-out of Alligator Alcatraz, which relied on emergency declarations, the Port Authority’s strategy was to build as quickly as possible. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2025 In an episode-long flashback spurred by ingesting too much ketamine, Jessica reflects on their impossibly sweet meet-cute at a Brooklyn bar, followed by rapid-fire romantic milestones such as meeting her family and moving in together. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 July 2025 Earlier in the day, Japanese media reported the possible export of the 2,000-ton Abukuma-class warships, a total of six vessels commissioned between 1989 and 1993, each armed with a 76 mm rapid-fire gun and surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) for anti-ship missions. Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 The rapid-fire process Open with their desire and their blocker. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rapid-fire

Word History

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rapid-fire was in 1890

Cite this Entry

“Rapid-fire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid-fire. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rapid-fire

adjective
rap·​id-fire
ˌrap-əd-ˈfī(ə)r
1
: able to fire shots rapidly
a rapid-fire weapon
2
: marked by a rapid rate or pace
spoke rapid-fire Spanish
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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