SHORTLY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

shortly

adverb

ˈshȯrt-lē

Definition of shortly

as in briefly

in a few words the sudden closing of the restaurant was announced only with a shortly worded sign: "Out of Business"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in soon

at or within a short time the meeting will begin shortly, so don't go too far away to find a bathroom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 shortly Thursday’s sighting of the two drones came after a drone with explosives was found at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport shortly before midnight on Tuesday. — Stefanie Dazio, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026 The old coach resigned a year and a half later, shortly before the 2010 season, as new owners Lacob and Peter Guber pursued a younger approach. — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026 The family previously said Hilton's children, niece and sister were inside the home shortly before the livestream incident. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 Pauline Ferrand-Prévôt pulled out of the race shortly before the stage after feeling unwell. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly

Adverb

One of those, the USS Gerald R Ford, also reported problems earlier this year, from toilets that weren’t working to a laundry fire that briefly stopped combat operations and destroyed some sleeping quarters.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Not in a city, where skylights glow and porch lights blaze, where shadows are mostly thrown by passing cars that appear to become the brightest object in the solar system briefly.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of briefly

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

There was some consternation when Brennan Johnson went to Crystal Palace in January for £35million, but this was precisely the sort of deal that Tottenham never used to do.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Every chair tilt, gust of wind, and scent spray is carefully timed to match the onscreen action and precisely calibrated not to understimulate or overstimulate audiences.

— Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026