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 Iranian negotiators are in Qatar for talks on a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz soon, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. — Sarah El Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026 Well, that may soon be a thing of the past, as scientists have figured out a way to transmit smells over the internet. — New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026 This is why the word cloud, like architecture before it, may soon disappear. — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 The Congressional Budget Office has a more dire forecast, anticipating the retirement trust fund may run out sooner, in mid-2032, and that retirees may see larger benefit cuts, at 26%, upon insolvency. — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 1 Nov. 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
  • According to the report, the anomaly was first detected during an engine acceptance test shortly before the start of summer.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • An official opening night is yet to be announced, and the design team will be announced shortly.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • Star winger Lionel Messi, the MLS leader in assists and goals, was rather silent against Cincinnati, finishing with zero shots on target and a yellow card.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The organizers of the rally at Roseland Community Hospital Wednesday morning said the shutdown of labor and delivery services there and elsewhere is happening not because OB/GYN services are no longer needed, but is rather a sign of bad policy.
    — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of rather
Adverb
  • This is also not a problem that will be quickly fixed by the return of starting center Nic Claxton, who has not played this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Sometimes word clouds are big-budget supergraphics realized by design firms like Pentagram, but often they are produced cheaply and quickly by non-designers, or by anonymous Etsy merchants, or in-house at printing and signage companies.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of quickly
Adverb
  • Transfer to a wire rack; let cool at least 3 hours, or, preferably, chill 12 hours.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The Best Place To Store Perfume To keep your perfume fresh, store it in a dark cabinet or drawer, preferably in a cooler room than the bathroom.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of preferably
Adverb
  • Soldiers in the United States are testing rapidly deployable counter-drone systems.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Such signaling will become ever more essential as AI rapidly advances.
    — Ali Wyne, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • Prosecutors said Salman pledged loyalty to ISIS and willingly participated in its activities.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The woman did so willingly, and there is no allegation that she was forced or tricked.
    — Jim Defede, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of willingly
Adverb
  • The contest also has become a rallying point for Black voters angry over how Southern states swiftly gerrymandered congressional districts after the Supreme Court decision.
    — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But a crisis—such as a military coup, another volcanic eruption of Mount Paektu, or an economic meltdown—can change those assumptions swiftly.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of swiftly
Adverb
  • Because the album is rich with melody—because the compositions snake so readily from note to note, compared to Malone’s previous works—inklings of narrative start to seep from the foggy passages.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • For progressives, deterrence can be more readily accomplished than centrists believe, both because the United States’ existing military power is sufficient and because China is not an aggressive revisionist power like Russia.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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