Definition of nownext
1
as in currently
at the present time that company doesn't make those toys now because they are unsafe

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in lately
not long ago I was just now wondering what to do about those old clothes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4

now

2 of 4

adjective

as in downtown
keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment questioned the moral values of the now generation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

now

3 of 4

conjunction

as in because
for the reason that I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention

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now

4 of 4

noun

as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I know I said you could go, but that was then and this is now

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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 now
Adverb
That pad, now dubbed LC-36A, was devastated by a massive explosion during a test back in May, but construction crews have worked 24/7 to try and build it back to launch capability before the end of the year. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Previously, the incarcerated person needed to contact their town clerk, now the Secretary of State’s office provides applications directly upon request. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Adjective
All of the world’s greatest golfers combined are boring compared to Tiger and his now Elvis-like descent. — Mac Engel april 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026 Gates has also drawn scrutiny for emails mentioning his now ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. — Ava Berger, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Lee earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing from UNC Charlotte in 2013, found a job at Atrium Health Union and started dating her now-husband. — Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025 The Padres are built to win now and this is a win-now type of trade that hurts but makes an immediate difference. — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 25 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for now
Recent Examples of Synonyms for now
Adverb
  • For now, much of this work is still hypothetical; Pacific Fusion’s campus, of which the demonstration facility is part, is currently under construction at the end of Pacific Fusion Drive.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Torrey is currently working on a project with the Loughlin estate.
    — Gay Gassmann, Architectural Digest, 19 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • That hasn't been the trend lately, as Friday's slide in the stock market coincided with an aggressive sell-off in bonds, a trade largely driven by fears of escalating oil prices hitting both asset classes.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Ashley’s view Concerns about AI and technology have simmered under the surface of American campaign politics for years, but have never been a fully salient everyday issue for voters until lately.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • The overtime is sometimes related to one-on-one care for psychiatric patients who might be suicidal or in danger of harming other patients or staff members.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Before Americans got used to mortgage rates below 5 percent, sometimes even below 3 percent, rates were consistently well above 7 percent for decades, from the 1970s through the 1990s.
    — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Federal policy now allows businesses to deduct domestic research costs immediately, leaving more capital available for engineers, prototypes, and equipment.
    — Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • There was little in the way of heavy equipment immediately available.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • As Detroit prepares to welcome thousands of people downtown for Grand Prix weekend, city leaders say public safety has been a months-long effort.
    — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 28 May 2026
  • For sports travelers, that means the pregame meal does not have to be a chain restaurant, and the postgame dinner does not have to be downtown.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • Debbie Zildjian, who oversees the alloy process today, learned it from her father.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Simply wager $5 today to earn one $50 bonus bet token, and then repeat that process for five days to earn five tokens, totaling $250 in bonuses.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Some voters view him as the establishment, despite not being a lawmaker anymore.
    — Saige Miller, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
  • At home, Lindsey and her husband, Garret, noticed that Jaxson had stopped babbling, and wasn’t able to walk anymore.
    — Ciara McCarthy October 22, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The debate around the contours of an acceptable federal AI safety bill shifted again after a draft of a proposal Anthropic has been pitching to lawmakers on Capitol Hill leaked late last week.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/now. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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