1
as in briefly
in a few words
the sudden closing of the restaurant was announced only with a shortly worded sign: "Out of Business"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soon
at or within a short time
the meeting will begin shortly, so don't go too far away to find a bathroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of shortly
The Associated Press and CNN called the race for Wied shortly before 11 p.m. local time, though Lyerly's campaign told the Journal Sentinel shortly after 10:30 p.m. that Lyerly had not yet conceded.
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Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
The nonstop flight will be shortly over four hours long.
—Laura Hall, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2024
The Mountain Fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, during a red-flag warning that covered much of coastal California.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
With 80% of the votes counted shortly before 11 p.m., Braun stood at 54% of the vote, compared to McCormick's 41% and Libertarian Donald Rainwater's 5%.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shortly 
Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
The nonstop flight will be shortly over four hours long.
—Laura Hall, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2024
The Mountain Fire was reported shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, during a red-flag warning that covered much of coastal California.
—Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
With 80% of the votes counted shortly before 11 p.m., Braun stood at 54% of the vote, compared to McCormick's 41% and Libertarian Donald Rainwater's 5%.
—Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for shortly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly
Adverb
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Early risers in the eastern U.S. and Canada can catch the Moon passing in front of Spica this morning, briefly hiding the bright star from view.John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 22 Nov. 2024
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The price of bitcoin briefly exceeded $98,000 for the first time on Thursday morning, before retreating to about $97,600.Max Zahn, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Lina Khan will soon be gone as chair of the Federal Trade Commission, and M&A dealmakers are salivating.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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Grant phoned his wife Clarissa, who soon arrived with their youngest son Callahan, 4.Bob McNally, Outdoor Life, 13 Nov. 2024
Adverb
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Communicate precisely and move forward with enthusiasm.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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The precisely contoured shell shape provides a very close fit through the instep, ankles, and heel, but with enough curvature to encompass—rather than crush—bony protrusions.Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shortly
Cite this Entry
“Shortly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortly. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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