Synonyms for instantly
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Adverb
1. Directly — at once; without delay
at once, right away, now, directly, forthwith formal, straight away UK IE, straight off, instanter, incontinently
2. Immediately
Other
Definitions
- adv. 1
At once; without delay.
When the neighbours' dog barked, ours instantly replied with a howl.
Choose the right word
Even immediately is sliding from its instantaneousness, so that we are fain to substitute at once, instantly, etc., when we would make promptness emphatic.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- directly Tom needs to hear the bad news directly from Mary.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| instantly | rising | |
| directly | steady | |
| incontinently | rising | |
| instanter | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- now1
- 8 letters
- directly3, outright2
- 9 letters
- forthwith2, instanter
- 11 letters
- immediately5
- 13 letters
- incontinently
- 15 letters
- instantaneously6
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (directly3 = 3 syllables).