shortly
adverb
short·ly ˈshȯrt-lē 
1
a
: in a few words : briefly
b
: in an abrupt manner
2
a
: in a short time
we will be there shortly
b
: at a short interval
shortly after sunset
Synonyms
- briefly
- compactly
- concisely
- crisply
- curtly
- elliptically
- laconically
- pithily
- succinctly
- summarily
- tersely
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He left shortly after you did. “I can't help you right now,” he said shortly.
Recent Examples on the Web Fiona, a Category 1 storm, made landfall in Puerto Rico shortly after the entire island lost power. 
USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2022 Sunday, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico, shortly after the entire island lost power as it got battered nearly five years to the day after blockbuster Hurricane Maria ravaged the U.S. territory. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 19 Sep. 2022 The couple decided to add to their family shortly after getting engaged. Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 Prices jumped near all-time highs earlier this year, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended markets for stocks and commodities. Hardika Singh, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022 Mourners started arriving to take their seats shortly after 8 a.m. (0700 GMT; 3 a.m. EDT). Mike Corder, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2022 Early Monday morning, Dayton police lined up on West Third Street at the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, where Burton's body was taken shortly after her death, CBS affiliate WHIO-TV reported. CBS News, 19 Sep. 2022 The Las Vegas Aces claimed the franchise’s first WNBA championship Sunday and shortly after the momentous win, merchandise commemorating their title went on sale, including lots of shirts and hats. Kristen Davis, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2022 The victim died shortly after arrival, according to police. The Enquirer, 17 Sep. 2022 See More
USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2022 Sunday, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in southwestern Puerto Rico, shortly after the entire island lost power as it got battered nearly five years to the day after blockbuster Hurricane Maria ravaged the U.S. territory. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 19 Sep. 2022 The couple decided to add to their family shortly after getting engaged. Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 19 Sep. 2022 Prices jumped near all-time highs earlier this year, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended markets for stocks and commodities. Hardika Singh, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022 Mourners started arriving to take their seats shortly after 8 a.m. (0700 GMT; 3 a.m. EDT). Mike Corder, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Sep. 2022 Early Monday morning, Dayton police lined up on West Third Street at the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, where Burton's body was taken shortly after her death, CBS affiliate WHIO-TV reported. CBS News, 19 Sep. 2022 The Las Vegas Aces claimed the franchise’s first WNBA championship Sunday and shortly after the momentous win, merchandise commemorating their title went on sale, including lots of shirts and hats. Kristen Davis, cleveland, 18 Sep. 2022 The victim died shortly after arrival, according to police. The Enquirer, 17 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing shortly
Kids Definition
shortly
adverb
short·ly ˈshȯrt-lē
1
: in or within a short time : soon
They should arrive shortly.
2
: in a brief way that shows anger or disapproval
She spoke shortly.
shortly
adverb
1
as in briefly
in a few words the sudden closing of the restaurant was announced only with a shortly worded sign: "Out of Business" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- briefly
- concisely
- in brief
- in short
- precisely
- curtly
- summarily
- abruptly
- laconically
- tersely
- succinctly
- crisply
- in sum
- exactly
- pithily
- compactly
- elliptically
- in a nutshell
- in a word
- bluntly
- sententiously
- aphoristically
- brusquely
- bluffly
- monosyllabically
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- wordily
- diffusely
- verbosely
- long-windedly
- repetitiously
- redundantly
2
as in soon
at or within a short time the meeting will begin shortly, so don't go too far away to find a bathroom Synonyms & Similar Words
- soon
- momentarily
- immediately
- now
- promptly
- before long
- anon
- presently
- forthwith
- instantly
- straightaway
- instantaneously
- directly
- right off
- incontinently
- right now
- right away
- by and by
- pronto
- straightway