He left shortly after you did.
“I can't help you right now,” he said shortly.
Recent Examples on the WebThe crash was cleared shortly before noon, according to an X post from ADOT.—Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Neighbors overheard a man begging for mercy shortly before two gunshots rattled the apartment building, where Johnson was allegedly seen coming and going multiple times in different disguises after the murder, according to the New York Post.—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024 The crash — near Dewhurst, between Neillsville and Black River Falls — was reported shortly before 7:53 a.m. Friday.—Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 8 Mar. 2024 In a statement emailed by his office to media outlets shortly before midnight Tuesday, Krekorian praised former Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, a onetime aide to the council president who is seeking his former boss’ east San Fernando Valley seat.—Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 That's because the best-tasting coffee is always roasted shortly before it's consumed.—Jaina Grey, WIRED, 7 Mar. 2024 The Masked Singer was on the chopping block to exit the platform but the licenses were extended shortly then after.—Francesca Gariano, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 The initial investigation indicates there was some sort of argument among a group of people near the pool area inside the complex shortly before 9 p.m. Friday.—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 First responders from the Fort Worth police and fire departments arrived at the location shortly before 12:20 p.m.—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of shortly was
before the 12th century
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