PDQ

adverb

ˌpē-(ˌ)dē-ˈkyü How to pronounce PDQ (audio)
Definition of PDQnext
as in promptly
without delay the boss wants the report, and he wants it PDQ

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for PDQ
  1. promptly
  2. immediately
  3. now
  4. instantly
  5. directly
  6. shortly
  7. quickly
Adverb
  • Late one night last year, when Knier wasn’t available, another hospice nurse from By the Bay Health came promptly to the Vantreases’ home in response to an urgent call from Paula.
    — Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Attorneys in the case argued that the suspension violates the EEOC’s own regulations governing complaints filed by federal workers requiring the agency to handle complaints promptly.
    — Alexandra Olson, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of promptly
Adverb
  • Thaw the dough just until it can be unfolded, then immediately cut.
    — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a historic rise in the number of people missing court dates and being immediately ordered deported as the system struggles to keep up, new data shows.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adverb
  • And speaking of men being disappointing, Ava changes the conversation to vaguely tell them all that her intuition about her boyfriend, Hook, was correct, and that they’re now broken up.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to stabbing four University of Idaho students to death and waived his right to appeal, is now seeking post-conviction relief by claiming his plea was false.
    — Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • As team president Mark Donovan put it on Wednesday while speaking at the opening of training camp at Missouri Western, the focus forward began almost instantly after the Chiefs lost their season finale to the Raiders in Las Vegas.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 31, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • On December 8, 2025, Instagram permanently terminated the account @nipeople, a project by artist, journalist, and activist Emma Shapiro, instantly erasing years of work and sparking a legal debate over digital freedom.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of instantly
Adverb
  • Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.
    — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • But even with that federal response, nonprofit organizations say private donations remain critical to getting supplies directly into the hands of survivors.
    — Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of directly
Adverb
  • She was elected to the Raytown C-2 School Board in 2021, shortly before winning her legislative seat.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • McDonald has already been snapped up by Melbourne side St Kilda and will shortly depart for Australia to begin his AFL career.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • Two teams — McLaren and Aston Martin — are expected to bring big upgrade packages to the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, and this race is anticipated to be less about energy deployment and more about driving quickly without making a mistake.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • With a void in leadership and production, the Horned Frogs will need someone to step up quickly.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 July 2026
Definition of quickly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

pay up
PDQ
peace
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Cite this Entry

“PDQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/PDQ. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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