1
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
2
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
3
as in accurately
in the same words
quoted directly from the encyclopedia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
as in shortly
at or within a short time
dinner should be ready directly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Examples 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
The new centralized Saks Global organization blends talent from both Saks and Neiman Marcus and reports directly to Emily Essner, Saks Global’s president and chief commercial officer which involves overseeing merchandising, marketing, customer analytics and e-commerce.
—
David Moin, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
The challenge trials, for instance, didn’t directly inform vaccine or treatment development, raising questions about whether these risks were justified.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
Other comments by Bohn, according to Bell Limbrick, were made directly in front of USC donors and staff — and relayed to university officials.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The best leaders are recognizing that employee well-being is directly linked to the best work outcomes.
—Adrian Gostick, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for directly 
David Moin, WWD, 10 Jan. 2025
The challenge trials, for instance, didn’t directly inform vaccine or treatment development, raising questions about whether these risks were justified.
—Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
Other comments by Bohn, according to Bell Limbrick, were made directly in front of USC donors and staff — and relayed to university officials.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The best leaders are recognizing that employee well-being is directly linked to the best work outcomes.
—Adrian Gostick, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
-
Why, then, didn't scientists skip straight to WGS initially?Alexis Kayser, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
-
To avoid straining your muscles from bad posture, try sitting and standing straight and keeping all your joints at a 90-degree angle.Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
The Lions lived on the opposite, more aggressive end of that spectrum, challenging Darnold to accurately place the ball downfield with defenders in his face.Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
-
According to the company, this robot vacuum and mop, debuting at CES 2025, can accurately spot liquids and automatically rotate its body to tackle wet spills with its mopping pads.Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
That photographer also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
-
The Context The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) immediately issued an evacuation order due to the Sunset Fire for a densely populated area bounded by Runyon Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, the 101 Freeway on the east and Hollywood Boulevard on the south.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
Why Was the Blue Origin Launch Aborted Today? Launch controllers discovered a technical issue with one of the rocket's subsystems shortly before liftoff.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
-
The crash occurred shortly before 12:40 a.m. in the area of Exit 7 when a 1994 Honda Civic being driven north in the right lane by a 37-year-old Waterbury man was hit from the rear by a 2013 Honda CR-V, according to Connecticut State Police.Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
That perception of an aging product lineup and high prices has seen RAM take a significant hit in sales and market share right at a time when Stellantis needs the profit from those trucks to fund other products across the company.Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
-
His warm personal style suffuses every part of his new Los Angeles house, a place where cozy textures, the glow of candlelight, and the smell of pumpkin pie make guests feel right at home.Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
Acknowledge the issue publicly, apologize sincerely and outline steps to address it.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Perhaps the country had too many of its own idols—or perhaps, as the new musical biopic Better Man argues, Williams was too gleefully self-deprecating to sincerely make the sales pitch.David Sims, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
That’s exactly the kind of high-risk, high-reward play that benefits an underdog.Jordan Brenner, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
-
That’s exactly what happened to Laura Begley and her fiance, Evan Dresman.Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adverb
-
Other buffs were huge taking Storm from the worst hero to the best almost instantly.Paul Tassi, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Sanders was hired by the Buffs in December of 2022 to replace Karl Dorrell, who was fired midway through his third losing season, and instantly turned the perennial Pac-12 afterthought into a Rocky Mountain pilgrimage and national spectacle.Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share