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 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

In February, a 17-year-old stole a gun from police and opened fire at a public high school in southern Thailand, briefly taking people hostage in a two-hour attack that killed one person and wounded two others.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Wang founded the firm in 2016 after briefly working for Chinese drone giant DJI.

— Yue Wang, Forbes.com, 7 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

For most eclipse chasers traveling well inside the path of totality, precisely where the edge of the path is makes no difference.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Up front, there’s a new nose with new ductwork that allows air to flow more efficiently and precisely, generating more downforce, eliminating turbulence, and also improving cooling.

— Jerry Perez, The Drive, 6 Aug. 2026