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
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Recent Examples of directly
The Category 1 seats are situated at the top of the lower deck, directly behind the goal and near one of the exits.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lynch was asked directly about the impact Simpson might have for the Rams next season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Right now, though, that shift is playing directly into Major Food Group’s strategy.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
If the individual who died has a surviving spouse, your role may be limited, as most or all of the estate may transfer directly to the spouse.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lynch was asked directly about the impact Simpson might have for the Rams next season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Right now, though, that shift is playing directly into Major Food Group’s strategy.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
If the individual who died has a surviving spouse, your role may be limited, as most or all of the estate may transfer directly to the spouse.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
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Or damn near the entire overtime period, as Oettinger fended off shot after shot, the 11th one finally getting past as Matt Boldy won a puck battle in the corner, went straight to the top of the blue paint, and deflected in a Jared Spurgeon shot for the game-winner.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Messi trudged off the field quickly and headed straight to the locker room, in no mood for post-game salutations.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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And a president openly threatening to commit war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran—and floating preemptive strikes against Cuba.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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One source speculated that the portraits of the Bezoses may have been inspired by Condé journalists openly dreading the prospect of the billionaires owning Vogue and having Sánchez calling the shots.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Edens, a professor of psychology at Texas A&M University, testified about studies he’s been involved in that examined whether experts accurately predicted future violence by defendants believed to be a threat.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
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An incomplete picture Yearbooks are a limited source for accurately understanding history.—
Michael A Messner,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Orange County district attorney’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday, nor did Yourex’s attorney.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Capitals scored shortly after that hit and went on to win Game 4 to claim a 3-1 series lead.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The woman was found dead in a pond not far from the home shortly after the sun came up, state police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Air traffic control told the pilots to turn right, which put them on a potential collision course with another 737 that had been cleared for takeoff from a parallel runway.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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We, as Peter Hook and the Light, have been right behind it from the word go.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Lebanese government sincerely wants to take control of the south and disarm and contain Hezbollah.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Still, the energy around physical media continues to surge in sincerely exciting new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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What that means, exactly, remains an ongoing debate.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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When Daikin Park’s jumbotron showed exactly that, Chisholm could only laugh at himself.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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