He left shortly after you did.
“I can't help you right now,” he said shortly.
Recent Examples on the WebAuthorities responded to the 800 block of Westlake Boulevard shortly before 3 p.m. after receiving reports of a shooting, officials said in a news release.—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2024 David Schultz was last seen in video footage shortly before midnight on the 20th.—Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shortly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortly.' 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
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of shortly was
before the 12th century
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