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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—
John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2026
The federal carve-out allows investors and founders to reduce their capital gains taxes when selling stock directly acquired from a qualifying C corp.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Northern France was directly occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, while much of the south fell under the Vichy regime, which collaborated with the Nazis and participated in the deportation of Jews to concentration camps.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Instead of requiring permanent modifications to the warship, the laser was temporarily installed directly on the carrier’s deck using chains.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
John Lynch, Arkansas Online, 8 May 2026
The federal carve-out allows investors and founders to reduce their capital gains taxes when selling stock directly acquired from a qualifying C corp.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 8 May 2026
Northern France was directly occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II, while much of the south fell under the Vichy regime, which collaborated with the Nazis and participated in the deportation of Jews to concentration camps.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 May 2026
Instead of requiring permanent modifications to the warship, the laser was temporarily installed directly on the carrier’s deck using chains.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
Grab your cowboy boots and head to Idaho’s most popular Airbnb listing — a rustic saloon straight out of the Wild West.—
Hali Smith
May 3,
Idaho Statesman,
3 May 2026
-
Many come straight from incarceration, others struggle with mental illness and addiction.—
Niki Donohue,
New York Daily News,
3 May 2026
Adverb
-
After months of allowing customers to openly carry guns in its Florida stores, Publix appears to have changed its policy.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
7 May 2026
-
Critics warn that openly discussing armed resistance could endanger protesters, deepen divisions inside the opposition and risk pushing Iran toward civil war.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
Gravity is notoriously difficult to measure accurately for three reasons, said Christian Rothleitner, a physicist at Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany’s National Metrology Institute, who was not involved in the research.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
-
The council recommends shifting some flood insurance policies to private insurance companies, and moving faster to map flood risk accurately across the country, so that fewer homes are in harm's way.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
Neither Moorer nor his attorney could immediately be reached for comment.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
His condition was not immediately clear.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
She was followed shortly after by carpet co-host and model Ashley Graham.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
-
Roman Anthony left Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning shortly after suffering an apparent right wrist injury during his first at bat of the game.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
Adverb
-
The ball slid right underneath his glove, allowing two runs to score, and Semien to end up at second.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This is basically every aerophobic flier’s worst nightmare, and Harlin does a solid job of maintaining the fear factor and shock right up to the moment of Rich’s decision to dump fuel and ditch, since the nearest airport, Guam, is out of range.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
This routine isn’t exactly unique.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
3 May 2026
-
Carly elevates the aesthetic activities of suburban women everywhere to the status of—what, exactly?—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
