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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sometimes
on some occasions goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Anthony, now 19, was sentenced to 35 years in prison in the case. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 The women in the driver’s seat and riding shotgun have been in a bun on the open road for two months now. — Sara "kraut" Gregory, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
That green room is where his agent, Rich Paul, introduced him to his now coach with the LA Clippers, Ty Lue. — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026 Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement yesterday to end the now weeks-long Department of Homeland Security shutdown. — Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 12 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
  • An extreme heat warning is currently in place for Death Valley, which is the lowest, hottest and driest portion of the North American continent and the United States’ largest national park outside of Alaska.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The bans are currently suspended in five of those states under orders from a federal judge.
    — Sarah Todd, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • It’s been hot in Pasadena lately, and according to Cat Chen, the best way to deal with the heat is simple—have your friends over, keep the AC running, and serve a refreshing menu alongside a crisp white wine.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That lately has been a challenge for municipalities that count on buying salt through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, only to be left out in the cold.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • And who else could sing over the credits but Susan Boyle, a reminder that sometimes taking chances leads to unlikely victories after all?
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Elite football demands difficult, sometimes brutal decisions.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sometimes
Adverb
  • Hansen’s attorney, who is with the Post-Conviction Justice Project at University of Southern California Gould School of Law, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Dehqani said reconstruction work began immediately after the refinery was hit during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 22 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
  • Gemini May 21 – June 20 The agreement that sounded simple yesterday may need more room today.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Depends who got hurt at practice today, given the daily injuries at RB in mid-August.
    — Jess Bryant, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of today
Adverb
  • But the island’s class divide isn’t just about dirt bike races for glory and bonfire fistfights anymore.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • After reviewing enough job posts that listed the position as remote only to find out the company requires employees to work in office, Petersen doesn’t trust job descriptions anymore.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of anymore
Adverb
  • Indiana wasn’t the only team to expose some of Moore’s hiccups late last season, but like Manning, one more year of time on task should iron out the little things.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Pregnant women can also be found in the open pits, sometimes late into their pregnancies, Kansime said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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