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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
  • But their primitive way of living reveals itself to rather more devastating effect when their third child is born, and Inger commits an act of unthinkable desperation.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Dmitriy Mazurov plays successful company director Gleb, whose seemingly perfect life starts to unravel, not due to the conflict however, but rather his suspicions that his wife (Iris Lebedeva) is having an affair.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 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
  • In its premiere, this was a Korean Cherry Orchard performed in Korean for audiences that needed no primer on its setting, the rapidly changing globalized city where the characters’ home is threatening to disappear.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • These will cause glucose to flood the bloodstream quite rapidly, and then your pancreas responds by pumping out all this insulin.
    — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of rapidly
Adverb
  • Mahomes willingly sandwiched his body between two defenders for a 15-yard touchdown on a scramble.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Riggle noted that people may be unaware of the danger that Stewart willingly placed himself in while serving his country.
    — Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 10 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
  • With the top tucked away, the car more readily reveals the extra style added to its interior.
    — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But plenty of brands, from Bode to Brunello Cucinelli, have brought their own spin on the look, while mainstream fashion brands like Quince and Madewell make the jacket more readily available for the everyday woman.
    — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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