PUNCTUAL Synonyms: 25 Similar and Opposite Words

punctual

adjective

ˈpəŋk-chə-wəl

Definition of punctual

as in immediate

done, carried out, or given without delay the punctual delivery of the daily mail

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 punctual Her employer may also be a stickler for being punctual. — Abigail Van Buren, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026 Lily is in charge of these (Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools) funds and her communication and punctuality are always professional and punctual. — Cyril A. Reinicke, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026 Heart for animals Bouffard’s co-workers and family celebrated her Sunday as a punctual, reliable colleague and friend who liked to smoke, drink, gamble and have a good time. — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 That made some players more punctual, but did not solve the problem entirely. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for punctual

Recent Examples of Synonyms for punctual

Adjective

Maintaining command-and-control links matters when troops rely on aerial sensors to gather information beyond their immediate positions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Fire officials were most concerned with keeping the blaze north of Encinal Canyon Road, one of the few natural firebreaks in the immediate area.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of immediate

Adjective

If the car or truck was rented in one state, set to return in another state and crossed into Mexico via a third, the coordination required between three state law enforcement agencies can make timely recovery of the vehicle even more complicated.

— Steve Fisher Special Correspondent Follow, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
For more on this, check out STAT’s Katie Palmer’s excellent addition to her timely series Paying for AI, which examines how new clinical AI tools influence the affordability of health care and patients’ long-term health.

— O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of timely

Adjective

That drew a swift rebuke from a bipartisan group of Senators, who wrote a letter to Apple arguing that to do so would imperil national security.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
The provincial government’s spokeswoman, Samar Haroon Bilour, praised rescue workers for their swift response.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of swift

Adjective

Because of this, speculation and rumors started to swirl regarding a reunion with Tyreek Hill, the speedy wide receiver who has been working out and hinted at signing with a team soon.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Many are under $100, and some are even eligible for speedy, two-day Prime delivery.

— Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of speedy

Adjective

Step Back OPay took off in 2019 in Nigeria with ambitions to be a super app that offered various features, including motorcycle taxi bookings, food deliveries, and quick loans.

— Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The crusts are shaped using a crimping technique that, along with a quick baking time at high heat, leads to a unique, varied texture, the website states.

— Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026