promptly

adverb

prompt·​ly ˈpräm(p)t-lē How to pronounce promptly (audio)
ˈpräm-plē
Synonyms of promptlynext
1
: in a prompt manner : without delay : very quickly or immediately
I'm going to speak French again, something I learned in school and promptly forgot.—Deanna Pai
Treatment is promptly resumed until the virus is suppressed again, and then stopped to see if the patient's immune system is able to keep the viral levels in check.—Joan Stephenson
2
: exactly at a particular time or the correct time
She arrived promptly at 7:00 p.m. as we had agreed.

Synonyms of promptly

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Examples of promptly in a Sentence

shipped the package promptly so that it would arrive on time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
After shootings or other serious confrontations, a committee that includes top ICE officials and lawyers will review footage and recommend whether to release it promptly, according to the body camera policy issued in February 2025. — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Once the litigation becomes public, communicate promptly by confirming the facts and explaining the broader context and cause-and-effect relationships, while remaining fully compliant with legal constraints. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Scholars and practitioners now advise Chinese entities on responding promptly to foreign litigation, avoiding default judgments, and presenting Chinese legal positions through expert testimony and amicus briefs. — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026 Then police promptly show up to their home and arrest Philip, leaving Lucy desperate for answers. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for promptly

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of promptly was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

promptive
promptly
promptness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Promptly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promptly. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on promptly

Nglish: Translation of promptly for Spanish Speakers

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