Synonyms
Examples of before long in a Sentence
the painters ought to be done before long
Recent Examples on the Web
And if inflation isn't clearly on the decline, more rate hikes could follow before long.
—
Marley Jay, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2023
But before long, Walshe leaves the audience there, narratively, with no resolution and the professor screaming to no one in particular, in perpetuity.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023
The captain's descriptions of goings-on aboard the ship begin ordinarily enough, but within days of being at sea, the ship's first mate disappeared, and before long the crew and passengers were being picked off one by one each night.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 11 Aug. 2023
But, before long, the entire segment group joined in, inspired by the duo’s dedication and kinship.
—Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 2 Aug. 2023
Drier air comes along for the ride, with dew points cracking below the 60-degree mark before long.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Officials shut down Hawaii’s tourism industry by requiring all incoming passengers to quarantine, and before long, state unemployment rates soared to 34%, among the highest in the nation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Soon, he is wrapped up in the world of the retirement home, but not before long, the reader is thrown back into Bob's history and life story.
—The Editors, Town & Country, 4 July 2023
Neither knew that before long Moutinho would become a central player in the town’s struggle to survive.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 28 July 2023
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Marley Jay, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2023
But before long, Walshe leaves the audience there, narratively, with no resolution and the professor screaming to no one in particular, in perpetuity.
—Seth Colter Walls, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2023
The captain's descriptions of goings-on aboard the ship begin ordinarily enough, but within days of being at sea, the ship's first mate disappeared, and before long the crew and passengers were being picked off one by one each night.
—Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 11 Aug. 2023
But, before long, the entire segment group joined in, inspired by the duo’s dedication and kinship.
—Joe Freeman, oregonlive, 2 Aug. 2023
Drier air comes along for the ride, with dew points cracking below the 60-degree mark before long.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Officials shut down Hawaii’s tourism industry by requiring all incoming passengers to quarantine, and before long, state unemployment rates soared to 34%, among the highest in the nation.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Soon, he is wrapped up in the world of the retirement home, but not before long, the reader is thrown back into Bob's history and life story.
—The Editors, Town & Country, 4 July 2023
Neither knew that before long Moutinho would become a central player in the town’s struggle to survive.
—Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 28 July 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'before long.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1585, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near before long
Cite this Entry
“Before long.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/before%20long. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
before long
adverb
: in the near future : soon
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