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 message was signed with their first initials, W for William and C for Catherine, indicating that the note came directly from them.
—
Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Administration officials have cast Vance as one of the few leaders Tehran would be willing to engage with directly.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The great room, a combination of the living, dining, and kitchen areas, measures a whopping 2,600 square feet, with large northeast-facing windows looking directly over Central Park and the surrounding skyline.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
Administration officials have cast Vance as one of the few leaders Tehran would be willing to engage with directly.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Sign up here to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.
—Chris Branch, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
The great room, a combination of the living, dining, and kitchen areas, measures a whopping 2,600 square feet, with large northeast-facing windows looking directly over Central Park and the surrounding skyline.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
In 1990, a tanker ship ran over its own anchor; a quarter century later, a pipeline on land ruptured, sending a river of oil straight to the sea.—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Mario himself is played mostly straight by Pratt, subduing the exaggerated Italian accent from the games, while retaining the underdog aspect of a blue collar guy burdened with greater purpose.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
5 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Its sustained support for armed proxy groups in the region — organizations that openly seek Israel’s destruction — demonstrates that this is not merely rhetorical.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Democratic Party leaders are openly worried, though, that the two Republicans — Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco — could finish 1-2, thereby ensuring the election of a GOP governor.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Does the Middle East accurately fit within the dominant anti-colonialist narrative of the American progressive movement?—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The team was penalized $25,000 for failing to accurately disclose the game-day availability status of Anthony Black prior to the Magic’s contest against the Pistons on Monday, the league said.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Royal Bahamas Police Force did not immediately release the man's name, citing the organization's policy, but his attorney, Terrel Butler, identified him to CBS News as Brian Hooker.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The state senate passed Weiner’s bill 30-10, above the threshold legislation needs to be fast-tracked into law immediately after the governor signs it, in late January.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In 2023, shortly before his firing, Altman argued that allowing for some falsehoods can, whatever the risks, confer advantages.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The dust can be seen only shortly before Earthrise, when the particles start to become illuminated by the Earth's light.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Ravensbergen is a rare southpaw as a right-catching goalie (coincidentally, as is Askarov).—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As the national government moves sharply right, Democratic voters have shifted left.—
Darius Khalil Gordon,
New York Daily News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In a video message, Drake spoke sincerely about how much Furtado had inspired him.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
-
But it’s played sincerely, so the visual contrast just makes the connection feel clumsy, if not outright absurd.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
What, exactly, happened down there?—
Jeffrey Marlow,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Biel played him through, Zaha took it in stride, and the finish — into the far corner on the run — was exactly the kind of moment that frames Charlotte’s problem heading into next week.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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