DIRECTLY Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

directly

adverb

də-ˈrek(t)-lē

Definition of directly

as in straight

in a direct line or course we went directly to the site without stopping to pick up extra supplies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in openly

in an honest and direct manner the instructor deals with her art students very directly, always telling them the plain truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in accurately

in the same words quoted directly from the encyclopedia

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immediately

without delay in case of a medical emergency, do not try to contact your doctor but instead go directly to the hospital

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in shortly

at or within a short time dinner should be ready directly

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 directly Histoury’s artists then build the reconstruction directly on top of this 3D mesh, in consultation with a team of archaeologists to make sure everything is as historically accurate as possible. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026 An output stage resolves any conflicts between separate commands, enforces strict equipment safety boundaries, and routes the signals directly to the reactor. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026 Refunds are not available directly at the stores where the candy was purchased. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Managing High Tensile Forces With Central Steel Technology Conventional cable carriers often transfer operational movement stress directly onto internal electrical lines and hoses. — IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for directly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly

Adverb

Because this round of expansion was primarily driven by price increases, much of the additional revenue flowed straight to the bottom line.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Then the judge looked closely at the deal that had been struck, which included a provision to proceed straight to sentencing and recommend a short term of probation.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of straight

Adverb

The Tate brothers, who openly describe themselves as misogynists, built a global following by promoting a lavish, hypermasculine lifestyle through their social media empire.

— Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
The Combating Terrorism Center at West Point reports that veteran foreign jihadists now openly call al-Sharaa a sellout.

— Jason M. Blazakis, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of openly

Adverb

There are very few tools that can accurately assess skills, but relying on managerial judgment alone is fraught with biases like the halo, horn and recency effects.

— Tonushree Mondal, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
But Matt Kaufman, chief safety officer at Roblox, said last year that for people between about 5 and 25, the system can accurately estimate their age within one or two years.

— Barbara Ortutay, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of accurately

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

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

Most of these programs are offered through wholesale channels rather than the retail bank on the corner, which is why the loan officer at a national depository may sincerely believe no such option exists.

— Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
It’s routinely thrown around online, both sincerely and in jest, to describe anything that feels inauthentic.

— Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of sincerely

Adverb

Minute variations in the hand engraving, together with individual numbering, mean no two examples are exactly identical.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
In this novel Amis is as unflappable as ever, and his dry humour and the dark undertone of the novel are exactly my taste.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of exactly

Browse Nearby Words

directives

directly

direct mail

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of directly

adverb

Example Sentences

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