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

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 shortly Church’s historic status Property records show the church was built in 1948, though its congregation dates back to 1896, shortly before Miami was incorporated as a city. — Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 An impressive backheel flick from Esposito put Inter 3-1 up in early in the second half and Yann Bisseck added a fourth shortly afterwards. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Wright built a vacation rental in the area in 2017 and started contacting the city shortly thereafter. — Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 In 2025, fans were given the opportunity to weigh in on Bonnaroo’s future through a survey sent out shortly following the cancellation, with organizers querying everything from when and where the event is held to its ongoing musical direction. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shortly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortly

Adverb

The Orioles have dropped four in a row after briefly taking sole possession of the lead in the race for the final American League wild card.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Jon Flanagan briefly held it before Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones made the breakthrough into the senior ranks from Liverpool’s Kirkby academy.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of briefly

Adverb

His home could soon sit right next to one of the 200-foot-high-voltage transmission towers.

— Joy Benedict, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
But the upward trajectory will surely end soon, and as teams become more familiar with the various routines, the specialist coaches must start to earn their money in the defensive penalty area.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of soon

Adverb

There’s no clear explanation for why, precisely, liberals tend to have fewer children than conservatives do.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
The mission also carries instruments from Egypt, Switzerland, Bahrain and Italy; the latter country’s instrument is a small laser retroreflector on the lander that can be used to precisely measure distances from orbiters to the lunar surface.

— Jonathan O'Callaghan, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026