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soon

adverb

ˈsün How to pronounce soon (audio)
Definition of soonnext
1
as in shortly
at or within a short time we'll be done soon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in rather
by choice or preference I'd sooner have a cavity filled than suffer through that opera again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quickly
with great speed as soon as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 soon The post said officers soon found a woman with a non-life-threatening leg wound, and a South Bend Police officer with an injury from either a ricochet or shrapnel. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026 But Badio’s name soon appeared on a flight manifest obtained by the Herald, along with those of the Colombians. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026 An interception by Bobby Okereke soon followed, as did innumerable huge plays from Lloyd. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 20 Sep. 2026 Richard soon discovers her double life as a Lolita camgirl, and the two develop a transgressive surrogate father-daughter relationship. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for soon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soon
  1. shortly
  2. rather
  3. quickly
  4. preferably
  5. rapidly
  6. willingly
  7. swiftly
  8. readily
Adverb
  • The alert was lifted shortly afterward, although authorities urged residents to avoid gathering in crowds.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Miami scored a touchdown shortly afterward to push its lead to 21-7.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • Even if the relationship isn’t fake, something about Bronwyn’s newfound fame (or, rather, adjacency to fame by way of Lisa Barlow) may have altered her brain chemistry into thinking this is a normal way to navigate and present a new relationship.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • This had nothing to do with work on the field, but rather a promotion for how the team is about to honor its past.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of rather
Adverb
  • Yet subsequent agreements have followed a similar pattern, the officials said, with Feinberg’s private-sector hires at OSC and the newer Economic Defense Unit sidelining career officials in order to ink deals as quickly as possible.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The relationship quickly became serious and highly visible, with the pair making public appearances and Rodgers openly discussing their life together.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • Having a score that's, at minimum, in the mid-600s — though preferably higher — can typically give you access to a broader range of lenders and more competitive loan terms.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • For Jaissle, a defensive midfielder who had preferably played in the Premier League was essential.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • September 24, 2026 AI is rapidly changing how top leaders communicate with employees, customers, boards, and each other.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 24 Sep. 2026
  • The tragedy has shaken students across campus Across campus, vending machines that offer free Narcan – an over-the-counter nasal spray version of naloxone used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose – have been emptied, WMC reported.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • Council member Dale Reynolds, who first made the motion to approve the ordinance, questioned whether there was any incentive for the public to willingly register their bikes.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The front end simply carves into turns with the slightest shift of body position, leaning over willingly enough to eliminate conscious thought and hesitation right out of the gate.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • The looming question is whether European leaders, institutions, and citizens can pivot swiftly enough so that the bloc can use its economic heft to take responsibility for its own security.
    — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Kovacik, who suddenly saw people running to see what happened, later drove swiftly to the source of the smoke.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of swiftly
Adverb
  • The idea that nourishment serves readily as a conduit is driven home by La Gola, Marcon’s previous film.
    — Matthew McLean, Artforum, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Some areas may not be able to soak up even moderate rain as readily as normal.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of readily

Phrases Containing soon

Browse Nearby Words

sons of man
soon
sooner or later
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soon. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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