What does hastened mean?
Hastened is the past tense and past participle of hasten, a verb meaning to move with unusual speed or to make something happen sooner. In its most common sense, it describes an action completed in a hurried or urgent manner: a messenger hastened through the crowd. It can also have a causative meaning, as when reform hastened the decline of an old system. In this use, it means “made sooner” or “made more prompt.” The word is generally neutral in meaning but often more formal or literary than “sped up,” especially in descriptions of movement. Its sense of urgency can suggest determination, concern, or even impatience, depending on context. Although hastened can function as a literary participial adjective, its principal grammatical role is as the past tense and past participle of hasten. The form is useful because it captures an action that is both completed and strongly associated with speed or urgency.
To move with greater speed than usual, usually because of urgency; to hurry.
"The doctor hastened toward the injured passenger."
Also used transitively to mean that something happens sooner or more promptly.
Done or occurring with greater speed or urgency than expected.
"The hastened arrival of the doctor was a welcome surprise."
A literary and comparatively uncommon participial use, especially in attributive constructions.
Hastened still carries its medieval urgency: it grew from Old English hāstian, a verb formed from hāst, meaning “haste.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hastened come from?
Hastened descends from the Middle English verb hastien, which came from Old English hāstian, derived from hāst, meaning “haste.” The Old English verb already expressed the idea of moving or acting with urgency. The same native Germanic root underlies related English forms such as haste, hasty, and hastiness.
Related word forms
How hastened is actually used
Common in formal prose and narrative but relatively uncommon in casual speech, where “sped up” is often more natural. Depending on context, it can suggest urgency, determination, concern, or even impatience.