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 This is despite major antigovernment protests throughout the country shortly before the campaign began, which were stamped out only after mass state violence. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 The policy came shortly before a state law went into effect that required police departments to begin developing policies regulating AI use. — Jakob McWhinney, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Slade pushed a button to call support and was told that an agent would be with him shortly. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Houthi attacks on Thursday and earlier in the week had already prompted a number of carriers to suspend or cancel services to the Saudi capital, shortly before Riyadh is due to host major energy and investment conferences. — CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly

Adverb

Raman brought up Gates briefly while criticizing the mayor over the Los Angeles Police Department’s handling of federal immigration enforcement during Tuesday night’s debate.

— David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Smith doubled in the sixth inning, when the Dodgers briefly took a 2-1 lead.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of briefly

Adverb

First-time buyers made up just 21% of home purchases in the National Association of Realtors’ latest annual survey, a record low, and Zillow’s CEO doesn’t expect that to change soon.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
But the city soon turns her plans upside down as Julia becomes drawn into a new job, a new life and two unexpected romances.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of soon

Adverb

There is one fascinating bit after the next in this exhibit, all laid out concisely by Henneman in the wall text.

— Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026
Communicating it simply and concisely requires a clear framework, strong data and deep business understanding.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of concisely

Adverb

Opponents worry that the changes would mean less money getting invested in rural housing, precisely when housing affordability issues are hitting those areas the hardest.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
This is precisely the personal-agent-as-buyer scenario this piece is built around, now shipping to consumers.

— Richard Freisberg, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026