punctual 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpəŋk-chə-wəl How to pronounce punctual (audio)
Definition of punctualnext
as in immediate
done, carried out, or given without delay the punctual delivery of the daily mail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

punctuality

2 of 2

noun

as in readiness
the quality or habit of arriving or being ready on time our boss is a real stickler for punctuality—he expects everyone to be at their desk by nine o'clock

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 punctual
Adjective
Lily is in charge of these (Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools) funds and her communication and punctuality are always professional and punctual. — Cyril A. Reinicke, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Heart for animals Bouffard’s co-workers and family celebrated her Sunday as a punctual, reliable colleague and friend who liked to smoke, drink, gamble and have a good time. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
But that move has always struck me as a little goofy in an introduction, like the teacher who delivers her lecture on punctuality to a bunch of empty seats. — Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026 However, that is not actually where the rules of punctuality end. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punctual
Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctual
  1. immediate
  2. timely
  3. swift
  4. prompt
  5. speedy
  6. quick
Adjective
  • If a coyote behaves aggressively or poses an immediate threat to people, move to a safe location and call 911.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • There was an immediate shift from Watts after the manic episode, McCollough’s friends say.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of immediate
Adjective
  • The numbers are vast and climbing again but during the countdown to another season, beginning on Friday night, there has been another timely marker to illustrate the rapid financial growth of the Premier League and its elite.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In the wake of this year’s Wimbledon and ahead of the US Open, this timely book from The Athletic’s Matthew Futterman details the unique psychological toll that professional tennis can take — particularly on its greatest stars.
    — Mary Lawrence Ware, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of timely
Adjective
  • Oil prices and government borrowing costs climbed higher on Tuesday as traders’ hopes of a swift resolution to the US-Iran conflict fade.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Comcast plans to separate out NBCUniversal in 2027, a swift follow-up to the spinout of Versant, its portfolio of cable TV networks, including CNBC.
    — Alex Sherman,Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of swift
Adjective
  • Organizations are rightly concerned about prompt injection, hallucinations, sensitive data leakage and model governance.
    — Michael Nicosia, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But this, Nidhi conceded, was perhaps the result of a need to concentrate, since any oversight in her work earned Jaya Aunty’s prompt disapproval.
    — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of prompt
Adjective
  • People are trading up to chains that invest in bigger portions and speedy service.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Senior linebacker Michael Lewis, who had 79 tackles and three sacks, will also receive some carries, and senior Liam Wozniak, junior Carson Alper and speedy sophomore Omari Miller will comprise the receiving corps.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of speedy
Adjective
  • As Vogue Business reported last year, brands were quick to adjust their playbooks as GLP-1 use became increasingly widespread.
    — Perdita Nouril, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
  • But uncovering the identity of the decades-old body would not be quick work.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of quick

Browse Nearby Words

punctiliousness
punctual
punctuality
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Punctual.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/punctual. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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