immediately 1 of 2

adverb

i-ˈmē-dē-ət-lē How to pronounce immediately (audio)
Definition of immediatelynext
as in promptly
without delay if we don't leave immediately, we'll be late for the concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

immediately

2 of 2

conjunction

chiefly British
as in when
just at the moment that give us a ring immediately you get back

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 immediately
Adverb
Briceno suggests decanting only a small amount onto a clean palette and closing the jar immediately so the texture stays consistent. — Marci Robin, Allure, 24 July 2026 The Pentagon and the State Department did not immediately respond to CNBC’s requests for comment. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 July 2026 Pruning should be done to control height and spread and should be done immediately after fruit harvest so that new flower-producing shoots can immediately begin to grow. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 24 July 2026 No other details about the incident were immediately available. — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for immediately
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immediately
  1. promptly
  2. instantly
  3. now
  4. directly
Adverb
  • Late one night last year, when Knier wasn’t available, another hospice nurse from By the Bay Health came promptly to the Vantreases’ home in response to an urgent call from Paula.
    — Laurie Udesky, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Attorneys in the case argued that the suspension violates the EEOC’s own regulations governing complaints filed by federal workers requiring the agency to handle complaints promptly.
    — Alexandra Olson, Fortune, 29 July 2026
Definition of promptly
Adverb
  • The 1-mile loop gains only about 100 feet in elevation and winds through a scenic valley ringed by the massive rock formations that make Joshua Tree instantly recognizable.
    — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • In marketing, the ability to quickly test multiple communication variants and respond instantly to customer needs is providing an ever-greater competitive advantage.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 24 July 2026
Definition of instantly
Adverb
  • And speaking of men being disappointing, Ava changes the conversation to vaguely tell them all that her intuition about her boyfriend, Hook, was correct, and that they’re now broken up.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to stabbing four University of Idaho students to death and waived his right to appeal, is now seeking post-conviction relief by claiming his plea was false.
    — Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit Detective.
    — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • But even with that federal response, nonprofit organizations say private donations remain critical to getting supplies directly into the hands of survivors.
    — Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of directly

Browse Nearby Words

immediate
immediately
immemorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immediately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immediately. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on immediately

Nglish: Translation of immediately for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All