presently

adverb

ˈpre-zᵊnt-lē How to pronounce presently (audio)
Definition of presentlynext
1
as in shortly
at or within a short time I cannot attend to the matter this instant, but I will presently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in currently
at the present time we are presently waiting in line for our turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in now
without delay the performance is starting presently

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 presently Ormund makes insinuations that his cousin is gay, which makes Ormund at once the most outwardly homophobic and sexist character in the show presently. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Mustafa presently serves as chief curator of Singapore Art Museum, and was chosen for his distinguished track record and his ability to offer a fresh, international perspective to the fair. — News Desk, Artforum, 24 July 2026 The evidence says — and team officials believe — the Padres are not a contender as presently constructed. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026 Contrast that with climate models, where even the most advanced ones presently break the world up into grid cells that are 50 to 100 km on a side. — ArsTechnica, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for presently
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presently
  1. shortly
  2. currently
  3. now
  4. soon
  5. immediately
  6. promptly
  7. instantly
  8. directly
Adverb
  • Scharf's onboarding comes shortly before the midterm elections, and the possibility that Democrats win back one or both chambers of Congress.
    — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Totality in Portugal and Spain will happen shortly before sunset.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • On Monday, White House officials acknowledged that single vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella are not currently available in the US.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
  • South Carolina has kept troops in the capital for virtually the entire year and currently has nearly 500 there.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • There will be sharp policy disagreements between now and Election Day, and that is a good thing.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • With these new inscriptions, the UNESCO World Heritage List is now made up of 1,273 sites across 173 countries.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • The annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kick off sooner than usual to accommodate booking conflicts with Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers may soon be equipped with gloves that deliver electrical shocks, which the manufacturer says are intended to de-escalate encounters with individuals.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • Reading it immediately quells, or at least quelled my own, paranoia at being alone in the middle of the forest—nobody is getting got here, there’s a gate that only opens if the concierge approves of your face, voice, and name.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The relationship of the women, both 28, to the child was not immediately clear.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adverb
  • Clean up dog poop promptly; keep up with veterinary care and parasite prevention; and clean the bowls, bedding, crates, and toys of a pet being treated for giardia.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The Dodgers had lost seven in a row before finally winning Saturday at Arizona, then promptly resumed the slide Sunday with a loss to the Diamondbacks.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of promptly
Adverb
  • Enrollment in that program is automatic for all gig workers and taxi drivers, with benefits paid for through a passenger surcharge collected instantly via fares.
    — Jacob Lederman, The Conversation, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty years in, there’s no denying that the city’s distinct and instantly recognizable fashion sense has impacted the way the fashion world gets dressed both on- and off-duty.
    — Kelsey Stewart, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of instantly
Adverb
  • McIntosh’s catch features a high elbow and fingers pointing directly down toward the bottom of the pool, resulting in a strong grip on the water.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Why This Eclipse Is Special Lunar eclipses occur only during a full moon, when Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of directly

Browse Nearby Words

presenting
presently
presentment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Presently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presently. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of presently for Spanish Speakers

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