now 1 of 4

adverb

ˈnau̇ How to pronounce now (audio)
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
as in sometimes
on some occasions goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in immediately
without delay come here right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The attacks were the latest in a series of large-scale Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities that Russia has intensified over the summer, now occurring on a nearly weekly basis. — ABC News, 30 July 2026 Colt Gray, now 16, pleaded guilty to 55 felony counts, including four counts of malice murder, on Friday. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Adjective
Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement yesterday to end the now weeks-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown. — Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2026 But when talking to the now mom of two, there’s a different version of her that emerges. — Anna Halkidis, Parents, 3 Mar. 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
  1. currently
  2. lately
  3. sometimes
  4. immediately
  5. downtown
  6. today
  7. anymore
  8. late
Adverb
  • Almanza was charged with threatening to commit an act of mass violence on school property and is currently being held on a $1 million bond in the Faulkner County jail.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The prospect cost was likely going to be high if Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer and the front office invested in upgrades to a roster currently holding the top National League wild-card position.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • The record’s grainy black-and-white cover shows her with her hair—usually scraped back in her trademark ponytail, or lately a bun, another kind of disguise—loose and scattered over her laughing face.
    — Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 31 July 2026
  • My favorite filmmaker lately is [Swedish director] Roy Andersson.
    — Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 31 July 2026
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • They are sometimes submitted by outside parties in lawsuits to help stress particular arguments or inform a judge’s thinking.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • But the different tacks agencies are taking reveal confusion over how state law should apply to the relatively new — and sometimes hard to identify — e-motorcycles.
    — Rose Evans August 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sometimes
Adverb
  • Thaw the dough just until it can be unfolded, then immediately cut.
    — Torie Cox, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The result is a historic rise in the number of people missing court dates and being immediately ordered deported as the system struggles to keep up, new data shows.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
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
Definition of downtown
Noun
  • Like Neto, there is some strikeout risk with Adames, but that seems to be the case with most hitters in the big leagues today.
    — Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026
  • That physical practice produced a defensive dominant today, which provided a couple of clues about the roster.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Definition of today
Adverb
  • City leadership hopes this sends a message to all landlords that treating tenants like this won't be tolerated anymore.
    — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Analysts did lower their price target to $325 from $360, acknowledging investors aren't paying the same multiple for data-center stocks anymore.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of anymore
Adverb
  • Meanwhile, Iraqi pro-militia outlet Naya late on Monday reported an explosion in Kuwait overnight that could be heard in Basrah Province.
    — Mike Sheen, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Falcons were conducting a two-minute drill late in their seventh practice of training camp when Walker fell while rounding the corner on a pass rush.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of late

Phrases Containing now

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novitiates
now
nowadays
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Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/now. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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