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Definitions

directly

[dih-rekt-lee, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛkt li, daɪ- /
ADVERB
the shortest route
Synonyms
STRONGEST
precisely straight
STRONG
direct
WEAK
as a crow flies beeline dead due exactly plump right slam-bang slap smack smack dab straightly undeviatingly unswervingly without deviation
Antonyms
WEAK
indirectly
ADVERB
as soon as possible
Synonyms
STRONGEST
immediately instantaneously instantly promptly quickly shortly
STRONG
forthwith straightaway
WEAK
anon at once contiguously dead due first off in a second instanter presently pronto right away speedily straight off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
eventually later
WEAK
indirectly
ADVERB
straightforwardly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
candidly honestly openly personally
WEAK
in person literally plainly point-blank truthfully unequivocally verbatim without prevarication word for word
Antonyms
WEAK
indirectly

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.

Gibraltar's macaque population averaged an estimated 12 soil-eating "events" a week, according to the study, with three instances of soil-eating observed directly after an animal consumed tourist food.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

However, she has resisted calls to directly lower energy costs for consumers.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

ProPublica sought an interview with Gorka directly and via the White House.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Materials that respond strongly to light in this way are highly useful because they allow optical functions to be directly written into the material.

From Science Daily • Apr. 21, 2026

The two wheel dogs, the dogs that ran side by side directly in front of the sled, were named Thunder and Lightning.

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Vocabulary lists containing directly

"We Grow Accustomed to the Dark" by Emily Dickinson

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"Water at Work"

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Immediately

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