at the ready

ADJECTIVE

ready

Synonyms

STRONGEST

accessible apt handy qualified ripe

STRONG

adjusted anticipating arranged completed covered equipped fit near organized primed set waiting wired

WEAK

all set all systems go at beck and call at fingertips at hand champing at bit close to hand convenient equal to expectant fixed for in line in order in place in position in readiness in the saddle on call on hand on tap on the brink open to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

incapable unskilled

WEAK

unavailable uneducated unprepared unready untrained

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With a helicopter circling overhead, police in armored vehicles rolled up to the Sunshine Motel in downtown San Bernardino and jumped out with assault rifles at the ready.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

On a foggy winter morning captain Khetsopon Nopsiri led a six-strong Thai army patrol along dirt tracks through the forest, assault rifles at the ready.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

That includes heavy weaponry and other resources at the ready.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

With their nets at the ready, tens of thousands of fishermen were poised to take part in a traditional festival in northern Nigeria last weekend after a six-year break due to Covid and security concerns.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

Five men in frontier leggings and leather shirts sprinted past us, rifles at the ready.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson

at the ready

Example Sentences

Related Words