21 Other Ways to Say IMMEDIATELY | Immediately Synonyms (Examples)

People often want to express something that happens without delay or waiting. The word immediately is used to show quick action or instant response. However, many other strong words can replace it, such as instantly, right away, promptly, straightaway, and at once. These words make writing more interesting and powerful. In this article, we will explore 21 useful synonyms.

Synonym	Meaning	Example
Instantly	Happening without any delay	She answered instantly when her name was called.
Right away	Without waiting or delay	Please call me right away when you arrive.
At once	Doing something immediately	The teacher told him to stop talking at once.
Promptly	Done quickly and on time	He replied promptly to every message.
Straightaway	Happening directly or right now	She started working straightaway after the meeting.
Without delay	Doing something fast without waiting	We must act without delay to fix the issue.
Quickly	Moving or acting with speed	She finished her homework quickly before dinner.
Forthwith	Without hesitation or delay	The doctor arrived forthwith after the emergency call.
As soon as possible	Doing something as early as one can	Please send the report as soon as possible.
Directly	Happening without stopping in between	He went directly to his office.
Rapidly	Happening with great speed	The fire spread rapidly through the building.
Speedily	Moving or done with speed	Help arrived speedily after the call.
Swiftly	Moving or doing something fast	The team worked swiftly to complete the task.
In a flash	Very quickly, almost instantly	She disappeared in a flash after saying goodbye.
In no time	Very soon, almost instantly	He fixed the broken chair in no time.
Double quick	Moving very fast, with extra speed	The soldiers marched double quick to the gate.
Posthaste	With great speed, without delay	The letter was sent posthaste to the office.
On the spot	Right at that moment	He was fired on the spot for lying.
Immediately after	Right following something	They left immediately after the show ended.
Instantly after	Happening right after another thing	The lights came on instantly after the thunder.
This instant	At this very moment	Come here this instant and help me.

21 Different Ways to Say IMMEDIATELY: Another Word for IMMEDIATELY

Instantly

The word instantly means something that happens right away without waiting. It shows that an action takes place very fast, just like when you snap your fingers. People use it to show speed, urgency, or sudden reaction. It can describe how a person reacts or how an event occurs in a short moment.

She replied instantly to the message.
He recognized her voice instantly.
The medicine worked instantly after she took it.
The light turned on instantly.
He stopped talking instantly when the teacher entered.
She knew the answer instantly.

Also Read: 21 Other Ways to Say IDLE | Idle Synonyms (Examples)

Right Away

Right away means doing something immediately or without delay. It is a friendly and common phrase that sounds natural in both speaking and writing. When someone says they will do something right away, it means they will start at that very moment. It shows action, readiness, and fast response.

Please send me the file right away.
She called her friend right away after hearing the news.
The workers started right away on the project.
He left right away to catch the bus.
The teacher answered the question right away.
They acted right away to stop the leak.

At Once

At once means doing something immediately, often with a sense of command or urgency. It can also mean doing two things at the same time. People often use it to show that something must happen now without any waiting. It sounds direct and strong.

Stop talking at once!
He left the room at once after hearing the call.
The boss wanted the report at once.
The children obeyed their mother at once.
The manager took action at once to fix the problem.
The light went out at once when the power failed.

Promptly

Promptly means doing something quickly and on time. It shows discipline, respect for time, and readiness to act. People use it in formal or professional situations to show that something happens without delay and at the correct moment.

He arrived promptly at 8 o’clock.
The train left promptly after everyone boarded.
She replied promptly to every message.
The meeting started promptly at noon.
The service was handled promptly by the staff.
He paid the bill promptly after dinner.

Straightaway

Straightaway means right now or without wasting time. It is often used in British and casual speech. It shows directness and quick movement or action. When you do something straightaway, you begin it as soon as possible.

She began working straightaway.
He answered the phone straightaway.
The teacher noticed the problem straightaway.
The repair team came straightaway to fix the pipe.
They started the trip straightaway after breakfast.
The manager approved the plan straightaway.

Without Delay

Without delay means doing something fast, with no waiting in between. It shows that something is important or urgent and must be done right now. People use it in both writing and speaking to show seriousness and quick response.

The doctor treated the patient without delay.
She left the room without delay.
We must act without delay to solve this.
The company sent help without delay.
He reported the accident without delay.
The police responded without delay to the call.

Quickly

Quickly means doing something fast and with speed. It can describe movement, action, or thought. It is one of the most used words when you want to show that something happens faster than usual. It is simple and direct, just like immediately.

She finished her meal quickly.
He quickly shut the door.
The team worked quickly to meet the deadline.
He moved quickly to catch the train.
She quickly changed her clothes.
They quickly cleaned the room before guests arrived.

Forthwith

Forthwith is a formal word that means immediately or without delay. It is often used in official writing or speech, especially in instructions or orders. It gives a strong sense of urgency and seriousness.

Leave this place forthwith.
The notice was sent forthwith to all employees.
Payment should be made forthwith.
The officer arrived forthwith after the call.
The manager acted forthwith on the complaint.
They followed the order forthwith.

As Soon As Possible

As soon as possible means doing something quickly, but with a small room for practical delay. It shows eagerness and responsibility. People often use it in polite requests or work situations. It means not wasting time, but also doing it carefully.

Please call me as soon as possible.
Send the email as soon as possible.
The team must fix the error as soon as possible.
He will reply as soon as possible.
The doctor will see you as soon as possible.
Deliver the package as soon as possible.

Directly

Directly means right away, without stopping or taking another route. It can describe both actions and movement. It shows a straight path and no delay in between.

He went directly to the office.
She spoke directly to the manager.
He came home directly after work.
The train goes directly to the city center.
She answered directly without thinking.
The news reached him directly from the source.

Rapidly

Rapidly means happening very fast or with great speed. It is often used when something changes or moves quickly. It can describe growth, progress, or reaction. It shows strong speed and activity.

The disease spread rapidly.
The crowd moved rapidly toward the exit.
He worked rapidly to finish on time.
The water level rose rapidly.
She improved rapidly after training.
Technology is developing rapidly every year.

Speedily

Speedily means quickly or fast, with efficiency and energy. It is often used in formal or polite contexts. It shows that something was done with purpose and without wasting time.

Help arrived speedily.
The team acted speedily to fix the issue.
She completed her work speedily and well.
The message was delivered speedily.
He ran speedily to catch the train.
The issue was solved speedily by the manager.

Swiftly

Swiftly means moving or doing something fast, but smoothly. It often describes graceful or efficient actions. It gives a sense of both speed and control.

The river flowed swiftly.
The team moved swiftly into action.
She completed the project swiftly.
The bird flew swiftly through the sky.
He reacted swiftly to the warning.
The company acted swiftly to fix the mistake.

In a Flash

In a flash means very quickly, almost instantly. It gives a sense of something happening suddenly or before you notice it. It is often used in casual or dramatic situations.

She disappeared in a flash.
He finished the game in a flash.
The car was gone in a flash.
The idea came to him in a flash.
The storm ended in a flash.
She solved the puzzle in a flash.

In No Time

In no time means very soon or very fast. It shows that something happened faster than expected. It is friendly and easy to use in daily speech.

He finished the task in no time.
The pain was gone in no time.
She cleaned the room in no time.
They reached the station in no time.
He learned the song in no time.
The food was ready in no time.

Double Quick

Double quick means moving or doing something with great speed. It is often used in military or energetic situations. It gives a strong sense of hurry and fast movement.

The soldiers marched double quick.
He left the house double quick after the call.
They ran double quick to escape the rain.
She finished her work double quick to catch the show.
He replied double quick to the message.
The team acted double quick to solve the issue.

Posthaste

Posthaste means doing something with great speed and urgency. It comes from old postal times and still shows importance and fast action. It is often used in writing to sound serious and strong.

Send this letter posthaste.
The manager replied posthaste.
The order was completed posthaste.
The team moved posthaste to deliver results.
She packed her things posthaste.
The message was sent posthaste to the head office.

On the Spot

On the spot means right at that moment, immediately and without moving elsewhere. It shows quick action or instant decision-making.

He was hired on the spot.
The teacher punished him on the spot.
She decided on the spot to join the trip.
He paid on the spot for the item.
They fixed the error on the spot.
The winner was chosen on the spot.

Immediately After

Immediately after means right following another action. It shows that there is no gap or pause between two events. It connects two moments tightly together.

They left immediately after lunch.
The rain started immediately after the thunder.
He called her immediately after work.
She went to sleep immediately after studying.
The party began immediately after sunset.
He started driving immediately after breakfast.

Instantly After

Instantly after means something happens right after another event, without any delay. It shows quick and smooth timing.

The lights came on instantly after the thunder.
He smiled instantly after seeing her.
The baby cried instantly after waking up.
She spoke instantly after the question.
The door locked instantly after closing.
The phone rang instantly after the message arrived.

This Instant

This instant means right now or at this very moment. It gives a direct and strong feeling that something must happen now. It often shows urgency, emotion, or command.

Come here this instant!
I need your help this instant.
He stopped arguing this instant.
Leave the room this instant.
She wants the answer this instant.
He acted this instant when he heard the noise.

Final Thoughts

There are many wonderful ways to say immediately. Each synonym gives a slightly different feeling of speed, urgency, or action. From instantly to this instant, these words can make writing more expressive and lively. Use them to show strong, fast, and direct actions that happen without delay.