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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of directly
Because there is no extra counter space surrounding the cash registers, ALDI cashiers load purchases directly into an empty cart taken from the previous shopper.
—
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
The Finance & Business courses, for example, provide valuable economic skills that can lead directly to career advancement and wealth creation opportunities.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
Any measure that appears on the ballot enables residents to influence policy directly through their vote.
—Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
In both cases, make sure your 401(k) provider makes the check payable to the provider and sends it directly to them, rather than to you.
—CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025
The Finance & Business courses, for example, provide valuable economic skills that can lead directly to career advancement and wealth creation opportunities.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Mar. 2025
Any measure that appears on the ballot enables residents to influence policy directly through their vote.
—Worth Sparkman, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025
In both cases, make sure your 401(k) provider makes the check payable to the provider and sends it directly to them, rather than to you.
—CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for directly
Adverb
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Get expert security alerts, must-know tech tips and the latest digital trends straight to your inbox.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Sit up straight with your back straight and slowly stretch your chin forward, as if imitating a turtle extending its neck. 2.—
Nathalie Alonso,
AFAR Media,
3 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Given everything that transpired on Friday, or given the lack of anything to put it more accurately, Vancouver’s trade deadline paralysis on Friday served to turn up the pressure on the organization down the stretch.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
8 Mar. 2025
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Less information is available about them online, so AI systems may have less data to represent them accurately to recruiters.—
David Paffenholz,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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All of this said, Monday’s moves did not immediately turn the Patriots into a playoff team.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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Cut anything that doesn't immediately serve your visitor's needs or push them toward becoming a client.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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An earlier attempt on March 12 was called off after a critical hydraulic system on ground failed shortly before launch.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
14 Mar. 2025
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The child fell from the Spring Grove Apartments, a 13-story building in the 4500 block of South Drexel Boulevard in Bronzeville on Tuesday, March 11, shortly before 11 a.m. local time, the Chicago Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Kansas City built 77,000 homes between 1932 to 1964, right after the Great Depression.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
8 Mar. 2025
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According to a new study on Black business in America, South Florida saw the second highest increase in the number of new Black businesses during that time, right behind the Atlanta metropolitan area.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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Read the full Libra Daily Horoscope Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Speak sincerely from the heart today.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
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Then the joke rounds yet another corner: Wood turns serious again, recalling how sincerely Deon thanked him in the greenroom, shaking his hand firmly and looking him right in the eye.—
Ismail Muhammad,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Adverb
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In theory, all that real-world data is exactly what Tesla needs to train its cars to operate without any human assistance, a goal that’s core to Musk's vision for the future of Tesla.—
Rashi Shrivastava,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
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Democratic senators including Tammy Baldwin and Elizabeth Warren have sent letters demanding to know exactly what access DOGE has.—
Laurel Wamsley,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2025
Adverb
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The foreign aid freeze frightened me, so at our house five doughnuts instantly disappeared.—
Chris John Amorosino,
Hartford Courant,
4 Mar. 2025
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Plus, the tweed fabric is lightweight and elegant to instantly dress up your outfit.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/directly. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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