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 The pair got married last March, having announced that they were engaged shortly following Boise State’s 56-31 win over UNLV last October. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026 In January, shortly before the war, Iran saw some of its largest nationwide protests in history, which began over the struggling economy and turned to wider grievances. — Nasser Karimi, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 Lizzie died in 1927, shortly before turning 67, in Fall River. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 The New People Party was founded shortly before the last parliamentary election in 2021, seeking to position itself as a liberal voice representing younger voters and technocrats. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly

Adverb

This will decrease temperatures across the entirety of Central and Northern California, brining partly cloudy skies to the Central Valley and even some briefly overcast conditions to areas north of Sacramento.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
New York Mets first baseman Jared Young was briefly knocked unconscious and carted off at Citi Field after a violent collision with pitcher Nolan McLean on a sixth-inning grounder versus the Phillies.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of briefly

Adverb

Their aim was to get bills out the door sooner and for the county to pay back districts that took a financial hit because of prior billing delays.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
My colleague Howard Blume recently wrote about district officials pressing ahead with a multibillion-dollar modernization and rebuilding plan, raising questions about investing in campuses that soon may be shuttered.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of soon

Adverb

The oxygen isotopes within the meteorites’ organic matter fall precisely along or near the Carbonaceous Chondrite Anhydrous Mineral (CCAM) line.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026
Fortunately for those who are tired of the political fireworks and simply want to enjoy outstanding presentations on the Declaration of Independence and the uniqueness of the American experiment, several current exhibitions offer precisely that.

— Michael Auslin, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026