| Main Entry: | |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | later |
| Synonyms: | afterward, again, directly, ere long, immediately, presently, shortly, soon, then, tomorrow |
| Main Entry: | directly |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | as soon as possible |
| Synonyms: | anon, at once, contiguously, dead*, due, first off, forthwith, immediately, in a second, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, presently, promptly, pronto, quickly, right away, shortly, speedily, straight off, straightaway |
| Main Entry: | early |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | sooner than expected |
| Synonyms: | a bit previous, ahead of time, anon, before long, beforehand, betimes, briefly, bright and early, directly, early bird, ere long, far ahead, immediately, in advance, in good time, in the bud, in time, on short notice, on the dot, oversoon, prematurely, presently, previous, promptly, pronto, proximately, quick, shortly, soon, too soon, unexpectedly, with time to spare |
| Antonyms: | later |
| Main Entry: | immediately |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | at once, right away |
| Synonyms: | PDQ, anon, at short notice, away, directly, double-time, forthwith, hereupon, in a New York minute, in a flash, in a jiffy, in nothing flat, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, like now, now, now or never, on the dot, on the double, on the spot, promptly, pronto, rapidly, right now, shortly, soon, soon afterward, straight away, straight off, summarily, thereupon, this instant, this minute, tout de suite, unhesitatingly, urgently, without delay, without hesitation |
| Antonyms: | eventually, later, never |
| Main Entry: | presently |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | in a short while |
| Synonyms: | anon, before long, before you know it, by and by, directly, down the line, down the pike, down the road, immediately, in a minute, in a moment, in a short time, now, nowadays, pretty soon, shortly, soon, today, without delay |
| Notes: | momentarily means 'in a moment'; presently means 'soon' or 'shortly' presently means 'soon, shortly, before long' while at present means 'at the time of speaking' |
| Antonyms: | eventually, later, never |
| Main Entry: | shortly |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | right away |
| Synonyms: | anon, any minute now, before long, by and by, in a little while, presently, proximately, quickly, soon |
| Antonyms: | later |
| Main Entry: | soon |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | in the near future |
| Synonyms: | anon, any minute now, before long, betimes, by and by, coming down the pike, directly, early, ere long, expeditiously, fast, fleetly, forthwith, hastily, in a little while, in a minute, in a second, in a short time, in due time, in short order, in time, instantly, lickety-split, on time, posthaste, presently, promptly, pronto, quick, quickly, rapidly, short, shortly, speedily |
| Antonyms: | distant, far, later, never |
| Main Entry: | then |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | before; at another time |
| Synonyms: | again, all at once, anon, at that instant, at that moment, at that point, at that time, before long, formerly, later, next, on that occasion, soon after, suddenly, thereupon, when, years ago |
| Notes: | than is ultimately the same word as then, and the two were used interchangeably until the end of the 17th century |
| Main Entry: | betimes |
| Part of Speech: | adverb |
| Definition: | sometimes |
| Synonyms: | anon, early, occasionally, prematurely, seasonably, shortly, soon, speedily |