1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
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Recent Examples of shortly
Patchett spoke at Parnassus with The Associated Press on a sunny weekday morning, shortly before opening time.
—
Hillel Italie, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Said grew up in Iran in the decade and a half before the 1979 revolution and left for America shortly after it.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
The video also shows the driver walking away from the scene shortly after crashing into the businesses.
—Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 June 2026
The Kings issued a statement shortly after Adelman’s death was announced.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortly
Hillel Italie, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Said grew up in Iran in the decade and a half before the 1979 revolution and left for America shortly after it.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
The video also shows the driver walking away from the scene shortly after crashing into the businesses.
—Sooji Nam, CBS News, 1 June 2026
The Kings issued a statement shortly after Adelman’s death was announced.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly
Adverb
-
But the Thunder stormed back to briefly take the lead just before halftime behind reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s 13 points in the second quarter.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
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Authorities also said a crowd briefly blocked the main ring road surrounding the city before police dispersed the gathering.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
With his dad at Blue Bell Park after taking a red-eye flight from Los Angeles, Andrew delivered a 421-foot blast that his dad and the USC Trojans won’t soon forget.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
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However, that euphoria soon faded.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
Adverb
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Knowing what to do if a power surge damages your appliances and electronics is essential for protecting your home, preventing future issues, and reporting damages clearly and concisely to your insurance company and the local electric company.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
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Keep it short and sweet Responding concisely and confidently will assuage any lingering concerns an employer might have about your work history, McGoff says.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Programs like Breakthrough Therapy designation, Accelerated Approval, expanded access and the use of surrogate endpoints exist precisely because traditional timelines are not always appropriate when lives are at stake.—
Elise Esposito,
Boston Herald,
29 May 2026
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Over the course of three weeks and nearly 150 hours, Mike Elder carefully crafted his honeybee sculpture, welding on antennas and legs, sculpting the yellow and black-striped body from foam and precisely designing its intricate wings.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortly. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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