hasten

To hasten means to move faster or to make something happen sooner. Think of a runner hastening toward the finish line, or news that hastens an important decision. The word often suggests urgency, as if there is little time to waste. You might hasten your steps when you're late for an appointment, or a doctor might hasten to help a patient in need. It is not just about speed; it also carries the idea of acting quickly on purpose.

The word "hasten" describes moving faster or causing something to happen sooner. It is more than simply being fast; it usually implies a conscious effort to act with greater speed because something feels urgent or necessary. Imagine a ship hastening through rough seas to reach port before a storm. It is not just moving quickly; the crew is pushing ahead because time matters.

The word can be used both for physical movement and for events. A person may hasten down a hallway, but a new law might hasten change, and bad weather might hasten the end of a trip. In this second use, the idea is not movement through space but making something come earlier than it otherwise would.

Historically, "hasten" could also suggest eagerness as well as speed. That feeling is weaker in modern English, but it still appears at times. For instance, you might say a friend hastened to accept your invitation, which suggests they were both quick and willing. The word is also common in the phrase "I hasten to add," used when someone wants to clarify something at once so there is no misunderstanding.

"Hasten" often appears in formal or literary writing, so it can sound a little more elevated than everyday words like "hurry" or "speed up." Still, it is clear and useful in many contexts. A scientist might look for ways to hasten the growth of crops, and a writer might say, "Time hastens us toward change." Whether you are describing faster movement, quicker action, or something that comes sooner than expected, "hasten" carries the sense of urgency and deliberate speed.