1
as in straight
in a direct line or course
we went directly to the site without stopping to pick up extra supplies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner
the instructor deals with her art students very directly, always telling them the plain truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accurately
in the same words
quoted directly from the encyclopedia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in immediately
without delay
in case of a medical emergency, do not try to contact your doctor but instead go directly to the hospital
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in shortly
at or within a short time
dinner should be ready directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of directly
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—
Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
The system can also be connected directly to a water hose or used as a standalone, portable unit.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
And yet off the court, an eventful period to say the least, in several cases with a degree of Heat impact, some directly, some tangential.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Schools can now directly pay athletes.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 11 Jan. 2026
The system can also be connected directly to a water hose or used as a standalone, portable unit.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
And yet off the court, an eventful period to say the least, in several cases with a degree of Heat impact, some directly, some tangential.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Schools can now directly pay athletes.
—Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
Outfit 5 This is the outfit that can do it all—take you straight to the office, out to a classy meal, or right onto a connecting flight.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The victory was the 11-3 Aztecs’ fifth straight and boosted them to 5-0 in Mountain West Conference play for the first time since the 2011-2012 season.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
In late October, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson posted a YouTube interview with Nick Fuentes, a popular white-nationalist and openly antisemitic pundit.—
Eli Thompson,
Rolling Stone,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Minnesota coach Chris Finch senses a growing interest in the tournament for players across the league, noting guys talk openly about it.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
This article was updated to more accurately reflect the author’s views.—
Cristina Palacios,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The plays were eerily similar, with junior guards Danny Mikuta and Carter Coviello and senior forward Andrew Hoffmann sending short passes to Martin, who launched shots instantly and accurately.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
During cross-examination, he was upbraided for long answers that did not immediately answer the question he had been asked.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
More information about the accident wasn’t immediately available.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Byrne and Cannavale first met in 2012 and sparked dating rumors shortly thereafter.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Carneiro crushed a 58-yarder shortly before half to cut the Hurricanes’ lead to 17-13.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Outfit 5 This is the outfit that can do it all—take you straight to the office, out to a classy meal, or right onto a connecting flight.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Don’t want tender young shoots popping out when another polar vortex is right around the corner.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
And then there’s Hanse, who sincerely assumed he was brought on to be the preserver of tradition.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
-
It certainly can be deployed sincerely, yet it’s almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
3 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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But this view illustrates exactly why he’s expected to be anointed a superstar in Milan.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Almost exactly a year ago, another rock-era institution — the 111-year-old Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of the Doors’ fifth studio album — was engulfed in flames after a series of smaller fires.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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