Tom was waiting for the bus. His sister said, “I will come shortly.” Tom waited a little and soon, she arrived.
Shortly means “very soon” or “in a little time.” It tells us something will happen quickly.
Learning synonyms for shortly helps students and writers explain time in many ways. It also makes speaking and writing in English more fun and clear. Here are 50 simple and easy synonyms for shortly.
Synonyms List
Soon
Meaning: Happening quickly.
Examples:
- She will come soon.
- The show starts soon.
In a moment
Meaning: Very quickly.
Examples:
- I will help you in a moment.
- He will arrive in a moment.
Presently
Meaning: Happening soon.
Examples:
- She will leave presently.
- He is coming presently.
Before long
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- We will finish before long.
- The bus will arrive before long.
In no time
Meaning: Very quickly.
Examples:
- She will finish in no time.
- He will be back in no time.
Directly
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- I will see you directly.
- He will come directly.
Anon
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- She will call you anon.
- He will be here anon.
Quickly
Meaning: Fast or soon.
Examples:
- She answered quickly.
- He ran quickly to the bus.
Rapidly
Meaning: Happening fast.
Examples:
- The train arrived rapidly.
- She ran rapidly to school.
In a little while
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- I will eat in a little while.
- He will arrive in a little while.
Momentarily
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- She will leave momentarily.
- The bell will ring momentarily.
Shortly after
Meaning: Soon after something.
Examples:
- Shortly after, it started raining.
- Shortly after, the teacher arrived.
In a short time
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- I will be ready in a short time.
- He will finish in a short time.
Before long enough
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- Before long enough, she returned.
- The bus will come before long enough.
Any minute now
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- He will come any minute now.
- The show will start any minute now.
In an instant
Meaning: Very fast.
Examples:
- She solved it in an instant.
- He left in an instant.
Straightaway
Meaning: Immediately or soon.
Examples:
- She came straightaway.
- He answered straightaway.
Promptly
Meaning: Quickly.
Examples:
- She arrived promptly.
- He finished promptly.
In short order
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- The meal was ready in short order.
- He will reply in short order.
In a jiffy
Meaning: Very quickly.
Examples:
- I will be back in a jiffy.
- She finished homework in a jiffy.
In a snap
Meaning: Very fast.
Examples:
- He solved it in a snap.
- She ran home in a snap.
In a flash
Meaning: Very quickly.
Examples:
- She was gone in a flash.
- He came back in a flash.
In no moment
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- He will arrive in no moment.
- She will finish in no moment.
Momentary
Meaning: Very quick.
Examples:
- He gave a momentary smile.
- She left for a momentary trip.
Speedily
Meaning: Quickly.
Examples:
- He ran speedily to school.
- She completed tasks speedily.
Without delay
Meaning: Right away or soon.
Examples:
- She left without delay.
- He replied without delay.
Expeditiously
Meaning: Quickly and efficiently.
Examples:
- The work was done expeditiously.
- He completed the task expeditiously.
Forthwith
Meaning: Immediately or soon.
Examples:
- He left forthwith.
- She will reply forthwith.
Shortly thereafter
Meaning: Soon after.
Examples:
- Shortly thereafter, it began raining.
- He left shortly thereafter.
Instantaneously
Meaning: Immediately.
Examples:
- The lights went off instantaneously.
- She reacted instantaneously.
Quickly enough
Meaning: Soon enough.
Examples:
- He arrived quickly enough.
- She finished quickly enough.
In brief time
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- We will leave in a short time.
- He finished the work in a brief time.
Rapid-fire
Meaning: Very fast.
Examples:
- She answered rapid-fire questions.
- He solved problems rapid-fire.
Speedily enough
Meaning: Soon enough.
Examples:
- He completed tasks speedily enough.
- She arrived speedily enough.
On the spot
Meaning: Immediately.
Examples:
- She acted on the spot.
- He responded on the spot.
In little time
Meaning: Very soon.
Examples:
- He will return in little time.
- She will arrive in little time.
In brief
Meaning: Soon or quickly.
Examples:
- The meeting will start in brief.
- She returned in brief.
Before long period
Meaning: Soon.
Examples:
- He will come before a long period.
- She finished before long.
At once
Meaning: Immediately or soon.
Examples:
- She left at once.
- He will reply at once.
In fast time
Meaning: Very quickly.
Examples:
- He ran home in fast time.
- She solved it quickly.
Without waiting
Meaning: Immediately or soon.
Examples:
- She left without waiting.
- He responded without waiting.
Conclusion
Learning synonyms of shortly helps you talk about time in many ways. It makes your writing, speaking, and storytelling clearer. Practice these words in school, stories, and daily conversations to improve English.

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