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
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
Ikram, then a 21-year-old Hofstra University student who aspired to become a doctor, suffered devastating burns when the liquid was thrown directly at her face, her family said.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
No state has borne the brunt of these factors more directly than Minnesota, especially earlier in 2026.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
Inside, the living room opens up directly to the patio, offering an ideal indoor/outdoor living situation that’s perfect for entertaining.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Mobile clinics help close this gap by bringing preventive, primary, and behavioral health care directly to where people live, work, and gather.
—Crystal Cene, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
No state has borne the brunt of these factors more directly than Minnesota, especially earlier in 2026.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
Inside, the living room opens up directly to the patio, offering an ideal indoor/outdoor living situation that’s perfect for entertaining.
—Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Mobile clinics help close this gap by bringing preventive, primary, and behavioral health care directly to where people live, work, and gather.
—Crystal Cene, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 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
-
After nearly 40 years in law enforcement, Harvey spoke openly about the toll a career in public service can take.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
People were talking about pregaming alliances very openly this season.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
There are over 50 types of mosquitoes in Minnesota, but Carlson said scientists can predict the population of cattail mosquitoes more accurately.—
Ashley Grams,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Jesse is upset that Michelle won’t talk to Lacy about what their relationship should be like, and Michelle says, quite accurately, that is not her job.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Charges against him related to the shooting were not immediately filed, and his name was not released.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Ames had her home tested after that, and those results confirmed the house had mold − with high enough levels in the air alone that experts told the Ames family to leave their home immediately.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 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
-
Brazil went right back down the pitch and earned a penalty kick after Endrick came together with defender Josip Sutalo.—
Kyle Foley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The ball rolled right to Maura Hayes for the easy score in front of the net.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 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 7 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
