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
For example, negotiating a lump-sum settlement directly with the creditor or with the help of a debt settlement company can sometimes resolve a judgment for less than the full amount owed.
—
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The experience typically involves boiling pots of soup placed directly on tables, often reaching temperatures that can cause serious burns.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
When the pasta is done, using a sieve or large slotted spoon, scoop it directly from the cooking water into the pan with the sauce.
—Demi Lovato, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead, the Fire Phone - overseen directly by founder Jeff Bezos - was scrapped in barely over a year, one of Amazon’s highest-profile flops.
—Greg Bensinger, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The experience typically involves boiling pots of soup placed directly on tables, often reaching temperatures that can cause serious burns.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 20 Mar. 2026
When the pasta is done, using a sieve or large slotted spoon, scoop it directly from the cooking water into the pan with the sauce.
—Demi Lovato, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Instead, the Fire Phone - overseen directly by founder Jeff Bezos - was scrapped in barely over a year, one of Amazon’s highest-profile flops.
—Greg Bensinger, USA Today, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
The 27-year-old midfielder from Quebec dribbled straight away and from the top of the semicircle finished his first of the season.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Wildcats have won nine straight since.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Paul frequently accuses Mortenson of cheating and lying, which he’s openly admitted to — after he gets caught.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Together, those forces contribute to an increasingly tense environment in which women’s autonomy, LGBTQ rights, and the protection of minorities is not just openly contested, but actively undermined.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Channel Sounding One upgrade that's already hitting the market, Channel Sounding, lets Bluetooth devices like trackers and connected locks find each other more easily and accurately, down to tens of centimeters.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Forecasts are currently too far out to accurately predict weather for late‑March breaks.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Trump aides and allies denounced Kent as a leaker immediately after his resignation became public.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Anyone who develops symptoms should call their local public health agency or state public health officials at 720-653-3369 immediately.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
In another incident, the documents said Eric Richins broke out in hives and experienced difficulty breathing after eating a sandwich that his wife had made for him on Valentine's Day 2022, shortly before his death.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
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The optimists insist nothing has changed and business as usual will resume shortly.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Oreade, the fine dining restaurant, is where Chef Riccardo Bacciottini unleashes his creativity and technical prowess, using local ingredients (many plucked right from the hotel’s gardens) to make sublime dishes like tomato tartare with basil and miso or artichokes confited with pepper sauce.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
-
As the doc unfolds, Mayeri walks right into the darkest stuff the girls experienced (and which nearly ripped them apart), from drugs and alcohol to abusive relationships and deep tragedy.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But the few times they’re forced to play their hurt feelings sincerely are as forced as the moment when Grace zips her gory wedding gown back on before it’s even been washed.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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The 98th Academy Awards, which came at the end of what felt like a particularly never-ending cycle of discourse and prognostication, did a good job making plenty of room to celebrate both movies sincerely.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Also, God forbid, but the examining team might need to unstitch a section of the dress, and there was just the slightest chance that it wouldn’t be put back exactly as it had been received.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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Initial estimates did not indicate exactly how much Walz’s proposal would cost in terms of technology fees to upgrade DHS’s computer software.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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