directly

adverb

də-ˈrek(t)-lē How to pronounce directly (audio)
Definition of directlynext
1
as in straight
in a direct line or course we went directly to the site without stopping to pick up extra supplies

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in accurately
in the same words quoted directly from the encyclopedia

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in shortly
at or within a short time dinner should be ready directly

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of directly MacLellan joined Paramount in August 2025 with Skydance Media’s Paramount Global acquisition, reporting directly to David Ellison. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 In any case, Animals lifts most of its foundational plot elements directly from that source, which was loosely adapted from an Ed McBain novel. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 ElevenLabs has added Vaughan to its No Go Voices, meaning his voice cannot be directly cloned on its platform in the future. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026 This means your remains are collected from the hospital and taken directly to the crematorium. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
  1. straight
  2. openly
  3. accurately
  4. immediately
  5. shortly
  6. right
  7. sincerely
  8. exactly
Adverb
  • The hypnotizing corduroy stripes of curling blue waves visible from the resort’s expansive green clifftop lawn en route to a private staircase that leads straight to the surf—and a guest-only beach deck, too.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If Disney was willing to put $2 million on the table straight away, the film was clearly worth far more.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of straight
Adverb
  • First is through a global campaign to raise awareness and send the message that women deserve to take care of their mental health and speak openly about it.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Lena is anchored, however, by her relationship with Yana Kuchina, a former editor of a Moscow publishing house who writes openly about living with cerebral palsy.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of openly
Adverb
  • Territories needed to be assigned, quotas had to be set, and compensation needed to be calculated accurately and paid on time.
    — Arnab Mishra, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But software may not accurately reflect a switch’s actual actuation point.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of accurately
Adverb
  • The 1996 work is part of eight self-portraits Bowie created during a prolific period of painting, all of which were snapped up immediately.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Nobel committee did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment following Rubio’s announcement.
    — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adverb
  • This came shortly before South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) determined 38-19 was a suitable-enough beating.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Houthi attacks on Thursday and earlier in the week had already prompted a number of carriers to suspend or cancel services to the Saudi capital, shortly before Riyadh is due to host major energy and investment conferences.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • If elected, Whiting wants to dive right in to figure out other ways to expedite permitting, including through the use of AI and other tech.
    — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • And right in the middle is a cutout whose shape evokes the head of a bald eagle — and that's the name that Krasner gave to this collage.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of right
Adverb
  • And incumbents can sincerely believe important work remains unfinished.
    — Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In a scene at the beginning of Episode 8, actor Siena Agudong, who plays Sue, expresses Flanagan’s belief that sincerely openhearted people like Carrie are met with rejection and seen as alien in a world where cynicism is our default mode.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of sincerely
Adverb
  • No two rooms are exactly alike, although all make use of a similar restrained coastal aesthetic of blues, grays, and whites.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In the first of two nights there Monday, Williams performed for almost exactly two hours without doing a single Paramore song — and what’s remarkable is, nobody cared.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of exactly

Browse Nearby Words

directives
directly
direct mail
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Cite this Entry

“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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