sooner; soonest
1
: without undue time lapse : before long
soon after sunrise
2
: in a prompt manner : speedily
as soon as possible
the sooner the better
no sooner said than done
3
: in agreement with one's choice or preference : willingly
I'd just as soon walk as drive
4
archaic
: before the usual time
5
obsolete
: at once : immediately
Usage of Safe
Both "drive safe" and "drive safely" are acceptable. Flat adverbs, as adverbs without -ly are called, are common in English; examples include soon in "see you soon" and fast in "time goes so fast." Adverbial safe functions in the same way these do.
Examples of soon in a Sentence
We will soon be making changes.
The soonest I can get there is tomorrow.
When is the soonest possible date of delivery?
The audience soon realized that it wasn't a stunt.
She found a job soon after graduation.
How soon can you finish the job?
The sooner you finish your homework, the sooner you can go outside and play.
I will let you know as soon as possible.
I'll get there as soon as I can.
Recent Examples on the Web
New signs are emerging that the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Florida Everglades may soon shut down, despite conflicting messages from state officials in recent weeks.
—
Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 June 2026
The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
Meanwhile, 10 Downing Street will soon get a new occupant, for the seventh time in 10 years.
—Gail Krishnan, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Anthony Maglione was flying from Pittsburgh to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, via Philadelphia on March 16 and started having issues soon after his first flight.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
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Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 June 2026
The deeper the water, the sooner a vehicle loses traction on the road.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026
Meanwhile, 10 Downing Street will soon get a new occupant, for the seventh time in 10 years.
—Gail Krishnan, CNBC, 23 June 2026
Anthony Maglione was flying from Pittsburgh to Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida, via Philadelphia on March 16 and started having issues soon after his first flight.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for soon
Cite this Entry
“Soon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soon. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soon
adverb
ˈsün 
especially New England ˈsu̇n
1
: before long : without delay
soon after sunrise
2
: in a speedy way
as soon as possible
3
archaic
: before the usual time
4
: by choice
would as soon do it now
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