PDQ Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

PDQ

adverb

ˌpē-(ˌ)dē-ˈkyü

Definition of PDQ

as in promptly

without delay the boss wants the report, and he wants it PDQ

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for PDQ

Adverb

Playing the helpful citizen, Martinez drove his literal truckload of ALPR bits directly to the Sheriff’s department, where he was promptly taken into custody.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Few character intros in movie history are better than Indiana Jones snagging that golden idol before being promptly chased by a giant boulder and a tribe of blowdart-wielding warriors.

— Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of promptly

Adverb

But that bipartisan effort was immediately panned by conservative groups, and little else has emerged as a serious solution.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
Though freshman Jackson Cantwell likely could have stepped in immediately at left tackle, the junior Okunlola has the game experience (albeit mostly at guard) that should serve him well in taking on the opponent’s best edge rusher.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of immediately

Adverb

Now Betancourt’s company, North American Blue Energy Partners, based in Barbados, could be one of the first private firms to directly participate in Venezuela’s oil industry since it was nationalized half a century ago.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2026
Playing the helpful citizen, Martinez drove his literal truckload of ALPR bits directly to the Sheriff’s department, where he was promptly taken into custody.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of directly

Adverb

Meier ran the Ritz Hotel’s bar from 1921 until shortly before his death, in 1947.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
The past few weeks have seen the former Dateline correspondent and To Catch a Predator host state that he was not consulted on the movie and did not know about the production until shortly before the trailer dropped in May.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortly

Adverb

As rain falls on the dry, arid slopes in the region, large volumes of water can quickly flow into creeks and waterways.

— Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Just days later, Kelce was photographed traveling with the same dog, and online sleuths quickly connected the pup to an April 2026 video clip of a similar dog jumping into one of Swift’s cars.

— Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of quickly

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.

Browse Nearby Words

pay up

PDQ

peace

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“PDQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/PDQ. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of PDQ

adverb

Example Sentences

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