as in shortly
at or within a short time
the painters ought to be done before long
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Recent Examples of before long
Maybe there will be more firings and openings before long.
—
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The cake was garnering favorable reviews, and before long writers were clamoring for the recipe.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The 20-year-old is currently around Spurs’ first-team squad, covering for long-term injury absentee Radu Dragusin, but will likely head out on loan before long.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
However, before long, the tradition was reportedly taken over by the less wealthy as a way of making fun of the upper classes.
—Fiona Ward, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for before long
Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026
The cake was garnering favorable reviews, and before long writers were clamoring for the recipe.
—Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
The 20-year-old is currently around Spurs’ first-team squad, covering for long-term injury absentee Radu Dragusin, but will likely head out on loan before long.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
However, before long, the tradition was reportedly taken over by the less wealthy as a way of making fun of the upper classes.
—Fiona Ward, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for before long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before long
Adverb
-
Full casting will be announced shortly.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several people reported hearing fireworks shortly before a grass fire broke out in the area.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The ailing astronaut and the three others returned to Earth more than a month sooner than planned.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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An account of the events from the Department of Homeland Security soon after the incident conflicted with the narratives from the two men and their family members.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Before long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before%20long. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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