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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2026
Orange County readers benefit from reporters and opinion writers who are willing to do substantive research, verify facts, and present uncomfortable but important information clearly and directly.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Switching to foods that provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, and others that contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the absorption of cholesterol, can lower your numbers, according to Harvard Medical School.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The people behind this fantastic new energy generator also brought us the wildly successful WTF thruster EM-drive that could supposedly directly convert electricity into a propulsive force.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2026
Orange County readers benefit from reporters and opinion writers who are willing to do substantive research, verify facts, and present uncomfortable but important information clearly and directly.
—Letters To The Editor, Oc Register, 15 May 2026
Switching to foods that provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, and others that contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the absorption of cholesterol, can lower your numbers, according to Harvard Medical School.
—Gavin Escott, USA Today, 15 May 2026
The people behind this fantastic new energy generator also brought us the wildly successful WTF thruster EM-drive that could supposedly directly convert electricity into a propulsive force.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
Wrobleski retired 16 straight to get through the seventh inning without further damage.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Growing up, my mother and I would go to our neighbors’ to pick them straight from their trees.—
Lucie Franc de Ferriere,
Vogue,
10 May 2026
Adverb
-
What is striking about this moment is that America is not merely acknowledging the Jewish roots of some of its values historically, but openly turning again to a distinctly Jewish practice as a possible source of wisdom for the present.—
Ari Berman,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2026
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The controversy also took a turn after the discovery of a March 2026 interview with outlet El Nuevo Día in which Díaz openly discussed his family’s involvement in the underground circuit.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Adverb
-
By shining a high-intensity laser at a drone’s sensors, the system can temporarily confuse, blind, or permanently damage the equipment, preventing the drone from gathering intelligence or accurately tracking a ship.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
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According to authorities, the students stayed calm while speaking with the 911 operator, accurately answering questions and relaying information because Fernandez-Delgado was too ill to communicate clearly.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Adverb
-
An attorney for Sohail did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
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But drivers wouldn’t immediately see that full amount shaved off their bills under a suspension.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adverb
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The stone was found in mid-April, shortly after the country’s traditional New Year celebrations.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2026
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The suspect, whose name was not released in line with Dutch privacy regulations, was arrested shortly after the attack.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Adverb
-
Second-year guard Sarah Ashlee Barker scored the game-winner on a put-back right before time expired, and pandemonium ensued.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
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Data centers are currently allowed by right in eight different zoning districts without city approval, including in residential areas.—
TERRY ROUECHE,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
Adverb
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But there are millions of people who sincerely think some or all of those things are true and do not take a cross-country train and try to kill the president and his Cabinet.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
28 Apr. 2026
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At that time, the other co-founders were sincerely questioning both Musk and Altman’s motivations for wanting to become OpenAI’s CEO.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Fresno State product didn’t exactly wow with size — a visible tick shy of a 5-foot-11 pre-draft measurement — but displayed solid timing and kept the rhythm humming on Saturday.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
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The ten-course meal costs a hundred and forty dollars per person, which is not exactly sofa-cushion change but does feel reasonable given that such high-flying pastry is normally available only at the end of ultra-ritzy meals of considerably higher expense.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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