BRIEFLY Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

briefly

adverb

ˈbrē-flē

Definition of briefly

as in concisely

in a few words tell us briefly why you chose this position

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of briefly Two months later, Jimmy Kimmel Live was briefly yanked from the air over comments that host Jimmy Kimmel made about the killing of Charlie Kirk. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 30 Sep. 2026 The debate briefly derailed the meeting as the mayor, controller and council members continually shouted over each other, prompting the mayor to ultimately pause the meeting. — Isaac Yu, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 The metro should dry out briefly Monday before another storm system moves in by midweek. — Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 Jackson, holding a laptop, appeared briefly on a neighbor’s surveillance camera before walking out of the frame. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for briefly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for briefly

Adverb

Communicating it simply and concisely requires a clear framework, strong data and deep business understanding.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Maybe Spain never quite produced a picture-book goal to concisely summarise their style and quality.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of concisely

Adverb

Samuel, or Samuil in Bulgarian, was a warrior emperor who battled the Byzantine Empire to expand his kingdom but was ultimately defeated and died shortly afterward in 1014.

— COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
He was taken to a hospital with serious facial injuries but died shortly afterward, according to TASS.

— Arina Porkhovnik, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortly

Browse Nearby Words

briefings

briefly

briefness

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“Briefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/briefly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of briefly

adverb

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