For most sentences, an immediately synonym such as right away, at once, instantly or promptly will do the job, and straightaway is a favorite in British English.
The catch is that immediately has three uses. It can mean without delay (reply immediately), right next to (immediately behind the school), or, in British speech, as soon as (immediately she arrived, the party began). The swaps differ for each, and so does the level of urgency they signal.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
right away, at once, instantly, promptlyPart of speech
Adverb; also a conjunction in British EnglishMost formal
forthwith, without delay, promptlyMost casual
ASAP, pronto, right nowMost urgent
this minute, at once, without delayAntonyms
later, eventually, graduallyWatch out
Shortly and soon are not swaps. They allow a delay; immediately does not.
Right away to forthwith: how urgent do you sound?
The chip strip orders five choices by formality. Right away is warm and casual, ideal when a friend or colleague asks for help. Straightaway is common in Britain and Australia. At once is a step firmer; parents and managers use it when a request is not optional. Promptly means quickly and efficiently, which suits workplace writing. Forthwith survives mainly in legal notices and sounds stiff anywhere else.
Immediately synonym table by sense
| Use | Replacements | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| No delay | right away, at once, promptly, now | Please call me right away. |
| In an instant | instantly, in a flash, on the spot | The light switched on instantly. |
| Next in place | directly, right, just | The bakery is directly opposite. |
| As soon as | the moment, once, the minute | The moment she left, it rained. |
For movement and speed rather than timing, the quickly synonyms page fits better, and abrupt surprises belong on suddenly.
Same sentence, different urgency
- Reply immediately becomes reply as soon as you can (polite) or reply at once (stern).
- He left immediately after the talk becomes he left straight after the talk.
- The pain stopped immediately becomes the pain stopped instantly.
- The store is immediately beside the pharmacy becomes the store sits right beside the pharmacy.
- Effective immediately becomes effective from today in a notice that should sound less abrupt.
- Immediately she saw him, she smiled becomes the moment she saw him, she smiled.
A message to a coworker: "Send the file immediately" can read as a command. "Could you send the file when you get a second? The client is waiting" keeps the urgency but explains it, and people respond faster to a reason.
Urgency at work, on the page and on a sign
Work emails: promptly, right away and as soon as possible are clear. Write ASAP only for close colleagues; some readers find it pushy.
Essays and stories: instantly, at once and in an instant vary the rhythm. In a narrative, without a word or without hesitation can show speed through action.
Formal notices: with immediate effect and without delay are standard. Our transition and linking words collection has more time markers.
False friends: soon, shortly, quickly
Soon and shortly mean in a little while. "I will call you shortly" gives you a few minutes or hours. Quickly describes how fast an action is done, not when it starts: you can start late and still work quickly. Directly means immediately in British English but often means straight to someone in American English ("talk to her directly"), so check your audience.
Opposites of immediately
Where immediately removes the wait, its opposites put the wait back in. Later and eventually are the plain antonyms; eventually also hints that the wait felt long. Gradually and slowly describe change that takes time. Belatedly means too late. See eventually and slowly for related lists.
- We will deal with that later.
- The town gradually recovered.
Frequently asked questions
Which word for immediately sounds polite?
The softest options are as soon as you can, or when you have a moment. Promptly is firm but still courteous in business writing.
Is right away less formal than immediately?
Yes. Right away is friendly and conversational, while immediately is neutral to formal. Both are correct in email.
Should I use forthwith in a letter?
Only in legal or very formal notices. In normal letters it sounds old-fashioned, so without delay or immediately reads better.
Does instantly mean the same as immediately?
Nearly. Instantly stresses that no time at all passed, often for physical effects: the screen lit up instantly. Immediately can allow a moment to react.
Can immediately start a sentence like as soon as?
In British English, yes: immediately he arrived, we ate. American writers usually prefer as soon as or the moment.
What is the opposite of immediately?
Later, eventually and gradually are the most common opposites. Belatedly works when something happens after it should have.