PDQ

adverb

ˌpē-(ˌ)dē-ˈkyü How to pronounce PDQ (audio)
Definition of PDQnext
as in promptly
without delay the boss wants the report, and he wants it PDQ

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for PDQ
  1. promptly
  2. immediately
  3. now
  4. instantly
  5. directly
  6. shortly
  7. quickly
Adverb
  • Contact the treating clinician promptly for worsening pain, spreading redness or warmth, pus-like drainage, fever, extensive blistering, eye symptoms, or a reaction substantially more severe than described.
    — Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The company encouraged employees to use Microsoft Teams, but while some replied promptly, others put their own work first.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of promptly
Adverb
  • The 1996 work is part of eight self-portraits Bowie created during a prolific period of painting, all of which were snapped up immediately.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The Nobel committee did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment following Rubio’s announcement.
    — Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of immediately
Adverb
  • The deficit, which will now be added to the growing national debt, was 12 percent higher than the year before, with Republicans--who used to be deficit scolds--controlling the executive and legislative branches.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • On Friday evening, ABC News republished a new version of the story re-reported by Charalambous, now without a byline.
    — Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of now
Adverb
  • One that wears flawlessly for three weeks, makes your hands look beautiful and instantly lifts your mood?
    — Lucy Abbersteen, Allure, 9 Oct. 2026
  • After a quick change into a black-and-white ensemble lined with white fur, Huncho is instantly focused and ready to talk.
    — Mikey Fresh, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of instantly
Adverb
  • While the resulting hydrogen can help decarbonize industries that are difficult to electrify directly, its wider adoption has been constrained by its cost compared with hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In this region, soft, sandy beaches are abundant, not only directly in front of the resort but on both sides of it, and surfers can find some excellent, challenging breaks.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of directly
Adverb
  • This came shortly before South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) determined 38-19 was a suitable-enough beating.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Houthi attacks on Thursday and earlier in the week had already prompted a number of carriers to suspend or cancel services to the Saudi capital, shortly before Riyadh is due to host major energy and investment conferences.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • Therefore, additional heavy rain may quickly create new areas of flooding and cause previous areas of flooding to redevelop.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 2026
  • One short clip that quickly circulated on social media showed Stamos urging Love to do some hand gestures from his seat, and the Beach Boys’ mainstay gamely complying, but without much apparent energy, before going back to sitting in place.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of quickly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

pay up
PDQ
peace
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Cite this Entry

“PDQ.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/PDQ. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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