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
By enabling data processing directly at the edge where it’s generated, tasks like real-time trading, fraud detection, and loan approvals can be carried out with near-zero delay.
—
Ricardo Tavares, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
That included Jill Roord and the Netherlands’ record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema directly bearing down on her.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
In the snap, Justin is facing away from the camera, while Hailey looks directly into the lens
This couple is not exactly known for being on the same page sartorially.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 July 2025
And Craig’s wife directly accused him of poisoning her when she was discharged from her second hospital stay, the dental employee who saw the potassium cyanide package told investigators, according to the affidavit.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Ricardo Tavares, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
That included Jill Roord and the Netherlands’ record goalscorer Vivianne Miedema directly bearing down on her.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2025
In the snap, Justin is facing away from the camera, while Hailey looks directly into the lens
This couple is not exactly known for being on the same page sartorially.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 10 July 2025
And Craig’s wife directly accused him of poisoning her when she was discharged from her second hospital stay, the dental employee who saw the potassium cyanide package told investigators, according to the affidavit.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
Using all of those techniques is key, as each open area begets another and another, with hundreds of individual levels becoming available as players descend straight down into the depths of the planet.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
-
Fox’s fashion, on the other hand, drew a stark contrast, comprised of an exaggerated baby-doll dress plucked straight from Jacobs’ spring 2025 collection.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Adverb
-
That accurately sums up the plea deal. — Richard Vatz, Towson Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2025
-
Investors can price risk and returns more accurately, making capital markets much more efficient.—
Dave Birnbaum,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
Adverb
-
Take, for example, the investment tax credit (ITC) that allows firms to immediately write off a share of their capital costs.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
The Colma Police Department didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adverb
-
The tragic sequence of events began shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, when Garcia was involved in a solo car accident on the southbound lanes of the 405 Freeway, just north of Moraga Drive in the Brentwood and Bel Air area, according to the California Highway Patrol.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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Two agents were seen attaching items to the property's door and front window shortly before the explosion occurred.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
Adverb
-
Just like learning a new language—you’ve got to get phonics right first, not just vocabulary.—
Bill Hoogterp,
Fortune,
6 July 2025
-
North was right behind her with four goals and two assists, while having the highlight of Friday night with a between-the-legs goal while her back was to the goalie just outside the crease.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 July 2025
Adverb
-
At sentencing, Woods’ attorney reiterated that Woods sincerely believed the block was about to erupt in gunfire and said his client has almost no criminal history, save for a years-old misdemeanor conviction.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
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Al is sincerely devoted to her profession, and sees the act of putting smiles on the faces of sick children as a vocation.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
Adverb
-
And yet, that’s exactly what Instagram is now encouraging: to share the imperfect, the unfinished, the vulnerable.—
Bryanna Symone,
Essence,
10 July 2025
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Arguably only McLaren and Sauber got it exactly right on Sunday.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Adverb
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As dutiful beauty editors, our eyes couldn’t help but instantly wander to her manicure, a lilac-milk look created by celebrity nail artist Jenny Longworth, who, aside from working with Rihanna, is also responsible for some of Harry Styles’s nail looks.—
Catharine Malzahn,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
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This feature allows the chronograph hands to reset to zero and restart instantly with a single press.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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