Alacrity vs. swiftness: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Alacrity typically emphasizes eagerness or cheerful readiness, while swiftness focuses on the pace or speed at which something happens.
What they have in common
Both alacrity and swiftness convey a sense of speed or quickness.
Examples
alacrity
- She accepted the invitation with alacrity.
- He approached the project with alacrity, eager to get started.
- The team responded to the challenge with alacrity, ready to prove themselves.
swiftness
- The swiftness of the cheetah amazed everyone.
- She completed the task with impressive swiftness.
- The swiftness of the river’s current was daunting.
Which one is more common?
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