Definitions

before long

ADVERB

presently

Synonyms

STRONGEST

immediately soon

STRONG

shortly

WEAK

anon before you know it by and by directly down the line down the pike down the road in a minute in a moment in a short time now nowadays pretty soon today without delay

Antonyms

STRONGEST

later never

WEAK

eventually

ADVERB

shortly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

quickly soon

STRONG

presently

WEAK

anon any minute now by and by in a little while proximately

Antonyms

WEAK

later

ADVERB

soon

Synonyms

STRONGEST

directly early instantly promptly quickly rapidly shortly speedily

STRONG

presently

WEAK

anon any minute now betimes by and by coming down the pike 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 lickety-split on time posthaste pronto quick short

Antonyms

STRONGEST

late later

WEAK

distant far never

ADVERB

then

Synonyms

STRONGEST

again formerly later next suddenly

WEAK

all at once anon at that instant at that moment at that point at that time on that occasion soon after thereupon when years ago

Antonyms

STRONGEST

earlier

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.

I’d stock up on bags of beans and rice and day-old bread and, before long, it would be July 7.

From Salon • Jun. 16, 2026

Several weeks later, he called and before long he was staying with Elma and her late husband George whenever he was in Scotland.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Flight to quality patterns may emerge before long, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

After Paul posted a TikTok in June 2025 jokingly announcing her “bid” as a single mother looking for love, members of the company’s publicity department took notice and, before long, discussions began.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Up and up and up she went, methodically climbing past nests and ledges and tiny trees rooted in the cracks, and before long our robot felt the soft soil of the island beneath her feet.

From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown

before long

Example Sentences

Related Words