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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.

“Y’all are a close-knit family,” Anthony observes early on, and before long, he’s part of it, motivated to protect the company, which he will refer to as “us.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

The two cloud businesses now make up about half of sales, and if current trends continue, they could continue to dominate Oracle’s income statement before long.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

If each day sees attacks on the highest-value targets still standing, before long only low-value targets will be left.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

He shared custody of his two children when we met, but before long, both chose to live with us full-time.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

‘That boy too mean to die. He in the hospital, but he going to be out and making trouble again before long.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers