PRESENTLY Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

presently

adverb

ˈpre-zᵊnt-lē

Definition of presently

as in shortly

at or within a short time I cannot attend to the matter this instant, but I will presently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in currently

at the present time we are presently waiting in line for our turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in now

without delay the performance is starting presently

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 presently The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is presently being investigated for ties to the terrorist rulers of Gaza. — Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026 Whether or not this signal will prove to be genuine is presently impossible to say. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 Conaty, who is presently the chief curator of the Whitney Museum of American Art, will assume her new role on October 27. — News Desk, Artforum, 27 Aug. 2026 First and foremost is, roughly, that thou shalt not think about ordinary objects presently whizzing through ordinary space. — Quanta Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presently

Recent Examples of Synonyms for presently

Adverb

Israeli troops arrived shortly before the attack, which seemed to embolden the settlers, Khrzhanovskiy said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Surveillance video shows 24-year-old Joshua Flores walking along Western Avenue with a machete shortly before his arrest.

— Logan Hall, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shortly

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

Multiple states now restrict forever chemicals, with Minnesota last year banning the intentional addition of PFAS to 11 categories of consumer products, including dental floss.

— Margaret Hetherman The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
In retrospect, many Democrats now think that the candidates in 2020 were too willing to bow to pressure with cameras rolling.

— David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of now

Adverb

Some announcements could come sooner, given the massive amount of organization and fundraising involved in mounting presidential campaigns.

— Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026
Porter’s prediction needs several of them to take steps forward together, and soon.

— C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of soon

Adverb

After a half hour of miscommunication, Pike was promptly hospitalized and placed on a ventilator.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Relentlessly enterprising and six feet seven, a literally oversized character, Levandowski had entered an autonomous motorcycle, Ghost Rider, which started the course and promptly fell over.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of promptly

Adverb

In a crisis, hitting a minor financial ratio covenant can trigger technical defaults, instantly freezing access to capital.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
These washable fabric patches can be applied by peeling and sticking to instantly cover stains and personalize clothing, no sewing or ironing needed.

— TIME Staff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of instantly

Adverb

The story’s main conceit was that scientists discover an Earth-like planet directly opposite our own in the same orbit around the sun, always hidden from our vantage point.

— Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026
Trump posted a video Thursday night that directly called El-Sayed a member of the group, which was founded in Egypt; his administration has designated chapters as terrorist organizations.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of directly

Browse Nearby Words

presenting

presently

presentment

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Style

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

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Synonyms of presently

adverb

Example Sentences

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