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 Category 1 seats are situated at the top of the lower deck, directly behind the goal and near one of the exits.
—
Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lynch was asked directly about the impact Simpson might have for the Rams next season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Right now, though, that shift is playing directly into Major Food Group’s strategy.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
If the individual who died has a surviving spouse, your role may be limited, as most or all of the estate may transfer directly to the spouse.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Ben Church, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Lynch was asked directly about the impact Simpson might have for the Rams next season.
—Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Right now, though, that shift is playing directly into Major Food Group’s strategy.
—Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
If the individual who died has a surviving spouse, your role may be limited, as most or all of the estate may transfer directly to the spouse.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
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Alex Greenwood Had not played for England since October due to injury but went straight back into the starting XI.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
20 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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And a president openly threatening to commit war crimes by targeting civilian infrastructure in Iran—and floating preemptive strikes against Cuba.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
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One source speculated that the portraits of the Bezoses may have been inspired by Condé journalists openly dreading the prospect of the billionaires owning Vogue and having Sánchez calling the shots.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Edens, a professor of psychology at Texas A&M University, testified about studies he’s been involved in that examined whether experts accurately predicted future violence by defendants believed to be a threat.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
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An incomplete picture Yearbooks are a limited source for accurately understanding history.—
Michael A Messner,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Orange County district attorney’s office did not immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday, nor did Yourex’s attorney.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Haaland bursts our bubble almost immediately by scoring in the opening five minutes, and Burnley miss a few good first-half chances, with striker Zian Flemming particularly culpable.—
Nnamdi Onyeagwara,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Multiple Democrats have come out in favor of ousting her, including two who called on her to resign shortly after the Ethics panel came back with its finding of her culpability.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
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Several other memorial services followed shortly after, including one in Los Angeles organized by Prince’s ex-wives, Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Air traffic control told the pilots to turn right, which put them on a potential collision course with another 737 that had been cleared for takeoff from a parallel runway.—
Kris Van Cleave,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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We, as Peter Hook and the Light, have been right behind it from the word go.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The Lebanese government sincerely wants to take control of the south and disarm and contain Hezbollah.—
Hussein Ibish,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Still, the energy around physical media continues to surge in sincerely exciting new ways.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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A lot of people don’t even know exactly what OnlyFans is.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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That’s exactly why one common habit among homeowners gives him pause.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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