presently

adverb

ˈpre-zᵊnt-lē How to pronounce presently (audio)
Definition of presentlynext
1
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
2
as in currently
at the present time we are presently waiting in line for our turn

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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 No one seriously believes that Iran would try to target the outer islands that presently only have a population of six people. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 The company presently builds specific truck configurations for its customers involved in logging, heavy haul, and vocational work. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026 Carro now must consider whether to allow the trial to move forward on all eight charges Mangione presently faces in the indictment. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026 The historic bridge presently sits alongside a newer bridge carrying modern traffic into Aspen. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presently
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presently
  1. shortly
  2. currently
  3. now
  4. soon
  5. immediately
  6. promptly
  7. instantly
  8. 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
  • On the left, Harvey Barnes is currently first-choice, while Newcastle agreed a deal potentially rising to around £50million for Bazoumana Toure in July.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The second victim is currently in the hospital in stable condition.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The company now faces a larger test as deployments expand beyond a single vessel.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • Those hoping the Iran war ends soon currently face disappointment.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This was prompted by Moises Caicedo’s fitness — deemed unable to appear against Fulham and coming on late against Brighton before hobbling off again soon after.
    — Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of soon
Adverb
  • The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, which doubles as the region’s medical examiner, did not immediately respond to a request for information.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Requests for comment sent to the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office and the local circuit court clerk were not immediately returned.
    — Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of immediately
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
  • Sneakers can instantly add a cool factor to an outfit and keep you comfy — a true fashion win-win.
    — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Once activated, the machine cleared the surrounding fog almost instantly.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of instantly
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

Browse Nearby Words

presenting
presently
presentment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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