now 1 of 4

adverb

ˈnau̇ How to pronounce now (audio)
Definition of nownext
1
as in currently
at the present time that company doesn't make those toys now because they are unsafe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago I was just now wondering what to do about those old clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sometimes
on some occasions goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in immediately
without delay come here right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

now

2 of 4

adjective

as in downtown
keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment questioned the moral values of the now generation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

now

3 of 4

conjunction

as in because
for the reason that I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

now

4 of 4

noun

as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I know I said you could go, but that was then and this is now

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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 now
Adverb
That pad, now dubbed LC-36A, was devastated by a massive explosion during a test back in May, but construction crews have worked 24/7 to try and build it back to launch capability before the end of the year. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Previously, the incarcerated person needed to contact their town clerk, now the Secretary of State’s office provides applications directly upon request. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Adjective
All of the world’s greatest golfers combined are boring compared to Tiger and his now Elvis-like descent. — Mac Engel april 9, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2026 Gates has also drawn scrutiny for emails mentioning his now ex-wife, Melinda French Gates. — Ava Berger, NPR, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Lee earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in nursing from UNC Charlotte in 2013, found a job at Atrium Health Union and started dating her now-husband. — Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2025 The Padres are built to win now and this is a win-now type of trade that hurts but makes an immediate difference. — Jim Bowden, The Athletic, 25 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for now
Recent Examples of Synonyms for now
  1. currently
  2. lately
  3. sometimes
  4. immediately
  5. downtown
  6. today
  7. anymore
  8. late
Adverb
  • For now, much of this work is still hypothetical; Pacific Fusion’s campus, of which the demonstration facility is part, is currently under construction at the end of Pacific Fusion Drive.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Torrey is currently working on a project with the Loughlin estate.
    — Gay Gassmann, Architectural Digest, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • Matières Fécales and Christian Louboutin’s shoes have been receiving some celebrity buzz lately.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Our staffer’s been enjoying back pocket recipes lately—with the first one inspired by Richard Olney, the Iowan painter, food writer, and Parisian ex-pat.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • The overtime is sometimes related to one-on-one care for psychiatric patients who might be suicidal or in danger of harming other patients or staff members.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Before Americans got used to mortgage rates below 5 percent, sometimes even below 3 percent, rates were consistently well above 7 percent for decades, from the 1970s through the 1990s.
    — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sometimes
Adverb
  • Details on the funeral arrangements were not immediately available.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The delivery does not mean the aircraft can begin operational service immediately.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • As Detroit prepares to welcome thousands of people downtown for Grand Prix weekend, city leaders say public safety has been a months-long effort.
    — Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 28 May 2026
  • For sports travelers, that means the pregame meal does not have to be a chain restaurant, and the postgame dinner does not have to be downtown.
    — Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 11 May 2026
Definition of downtown
Noun
  • Debbie Zildjian, who oversees the alloy process today, learned it from her father.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Simply wager $5 today to earn one $50 bonus bet token, and then repeat that process for five days to earn five tokens, totaling $250 in bonuses.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of today
Adverb
  • The narrow truth is, people don't like to sit down and read a long book for pleasure as much anymore.
    — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Losing 2, 3, or even 4 games in some cases won't kill you anymore.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of anymore
Adverb
  • Ukraine received no warning from its partners ahead of the first wave of attacks, and information about a second wave arrived too late for air raid sirens to be activated in time, air force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The debate around the contours of an acceptable federal AI safety bill shifted again after a draft of a proposal Anthropic has been pitching to lawmakers on Capitol Hill leaked late last week.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of late

Phrases Containing now

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novitiates
now
nowadays
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Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/now. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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