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

These involve getting up at 09:00 on the dot and drinking from the same coffee mug.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 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

on the dot

Example Sentences

Related Words