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

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Recent Examples of shortly The pair will meet Putin shortly before traveling to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026 Safety Alohi Gilman was ruled out shortly before kickoff, and Nwankpa was told to get ready to start. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026 As the night wore on, Hurtado’s wife began to feel ill and went into the restroom shortly before the club was set to close. — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 Morrissette also began performing CPR herself, and her neighbor took over shortly before police arrived at the scene. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly

Adverb

The result of these changes made Astra briefly appear significantly better at math than those two models.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
Jonah Bevin's adoptive parents did not attend a custody hearing after it was shut down, briefly leaving him as a ward of the state in the Caribbean nation.

— Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of briefly

Adverb

There are times when that kind of fiscal response is precisely the right thing to do.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
Unfortunately for the handful of players fated to a long wait Tuesday, the skies opened in the middle of the afternoon, precisely at the time that the first-round matches that had been held over were scheduled to be played.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026