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Dictionary.com
Definitions

on the dot

ADJECTIVE
early
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beforehand briefly directly immediately prematurely previous promptly quick shortly soon too soon unexpectedly
STRONG
betimes
WEAK
a bit previous ahead of time anon bright and early early bird ere long far ahead in advance in good time in the bud in time on short notice oversoon pronto proximately
Antonyms
WEAK
late later
ADJECTIVE
prompt
Synonyms
STRONGEST
efficient expeditious immediate instantaneous precise punctual quick rapid speedy swift timely
STRONG
alert brisk eager instant ready smart willing
WEAK
apt on the ball on the button on the nose on time unhesitating vigilant watchful wide-awake
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delayed late later slow sluggish tardy
STRONG
apathetic lethargic unprepared unwilling
WEAK
negligent
ADJECTIVE
punctual
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dependable expeditious
WEAK
accurate careful conscientious conscionable constant cyclic early exact fussy heedful in good time meticulous on schedule on the button on the nose painstaking particular periodic precise prompt punctilious quick ready recurrent regular reliable scrupulous seasonable steady strict timely under-the-wire
Antonyms
WEAK
late tardy
ADVERB
early
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beforehand immediate previous quick soon
WEAK
advanced ahead of time anticipative anticipatory before the appointed time direct immature on short notice overearly oversoon preceding precipitant precocious preexistent premature prompt pronto punctual seasonable speedy unanticipated unexpected untimely with time to spare
Antonyms
WEAK
late later
ADVERB
exactly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely altogether carefully completely correctly definitely explicitly indeed literally precisely quite specifically strictly totally truly
STRONG
just
WEAK
bang expressly faithfully faultlessly for a fact for certain for sure in every respect methodically no mistake on the money on the nail on the nose positively right rigorously scrupulously severely sharp square the ticket truthfully unequivocally unerringly utterly veraciously wholly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully dubiously incompletely indefinite partially questionably
WEAK
inaccurately inexactly
ADVERB
immediately
Synonyms
STRONGEST
directly forthwith instantly promptly rapidly shortly soon urgently
STRONG
now
WEAK
PDQ anon at short notice away double-time hereupon in a New York minute in a flash in a jiffy in nothing flat instantaneously instanter like now now or never on the double on the spot pronto right now soon afterward straight away straight off summarily thereupon this instant this minute tout de suite unhesitatingly without delay without hesitation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
later
WEAK
eventually never
ADVERB
promptly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
directly expeditiously hastily instantly quickly rapidly speedily swiftly
STRONG
pronto
WEAK
PDQ at once fast flat-out fleetly in nothing flat lickety-split like a shot now on the double on time posthaste punctually right away sharp straightaway unhesitatingly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
slowly
WEAK
late negligently
ADVERB
right off the bat
Synonyms
WEAK
at once immediately instantly
ADVERB
sharp
Synonyms
STRONG
bang right square
WEAK
abruptly accurately exactly just on the button precisely promptly punctually smack-dab squarely suddenly
Antonyms
WEAK
late

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.

At 10 a.m. on the dot, an employee opens the door and the all-day parade begins.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

Many surgeries - like the Tudor House Medical Practice - open their telephone lines at 08:00, meaning that if you want an on-the-day appointment, you have to phone on the dot at 08:00.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025

We caught up with fans ahead of the three-hour show — Knight opened at 7 p.m. on the dot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2025

At 7 p.m. on the dot, drag queen Jupiter Genesis kicked off the show, wearing a layered purple boa and a metallic bustier.

From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024

As the second hand swept up to make 11:30 on the dot, a hooded figure stepped from the mist.

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville