now 1 of 4

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Founded in 2011, NMT is now among the first companies in the world to be able to commercialize its product. Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026 First introduced as a concept during the 2025 China International Import Expo, the initiative now moves into its operational phase, positioning Jing’an as a new gateway for international beauty innovation and collaboration. Johannes Neubacher, Footwear News, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The now 16-year-old female reticulated giraffe was born in Germany as part of a European breeding program, and has shown signs of respiratory distress for much of her life, the organization said. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025 The now 26-year-old superstar was coming off a trip to the NBA Finals and leading the league in scoring. Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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 Pugh and Braff's red carpet appearance was the first time the now-exes have done a public appearance together. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for now
Recent Examples of Synonyms for now
Adverb
  • March 21 – April 19 Aries, friendships could currently need your brave leadership.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • This technology is currently primarily aimed at helping restore quality of life for patients who’ve suffered things like spinal cord injuries, paralysis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or stroke damage.
    Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • In the new year, Musk welcomed Hegseth to a meeting at SpaceX headquarters, where Hegseth unveiled a new partnership with Grok, which lately had been spending most of its time removing the clothes of women and children in photographs.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • No one seems to dispute it—even with the inroads David Ellison has lately made.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • In South Africa, legislation in the early two-thousands codified a program called Black Economic Empowerment, which, among other initiatives, incentivizes employers to hire Black South Africans; a more recent law allows the government to expropriate private land, sometimes without compensation.
    Boyce Upholt, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Used to be, when something went bad wrong in the military, folks up and down the chain-of-command would honorably resign, sometimes even to the uppermost of the civilian ranks.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Authorities said to call 911 immediately.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Iraq’s General Company for Ports was not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • What space the library does have is overwhelmingly downtown.
    Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Shawn Gao, manager of the downtown Chinese restaurant Magnolia's agreed.
    Samantha Chaney, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Beane is the progenitor of the Moneyball movement, the search for inefficiency in roster building that, today, has influenced every Major League Baseball front office.
    Evan Drellich, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Pushing for that transparency is critical before AI in warfare becomes so routine that nobody thinks to ask anymore.
    Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
  • As Self has said, KU doesn’t have NBA Draft picks coming off the bench anymore.
    Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The rates were similar in the private sector, where 41% reported using AI late last year, including a quarter who reported using it frequently.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Savanti Travel’s Rowan recalled a client, who was in Paris on a business trip, arriving late for an appointment after ChatGPT suggested a route that failed to account for road closures due to construction.
    Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/now. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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