presently
adverb
Usage of Presently
Both senses 1b and 2 are flourishing in current English, but many commentators have objected to sense 2. Since this sense has been in continuous use since the 15th century, it is not clear why it is objectionable. Perhaps a note in the Oxford English Dictionary (1909) that the sense has been obsolete since the 17th century in literary English is to blame, but the note goes on to observe that the sense is in regular use in most English dialects. The last citation in that dictionary is from a 1901 Leeds newspaper, written in Standard English. Sense 2 is most common in contexts relating to business and politics.
William Safire
Examples of presently in a Sentence
Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Moves for other Premier League and European strikers are also being explored — Dominic Calvert-Lewin, a free agent after leaving Everton, is one, though Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is not presently under consideration — but Newcastle are keen not to rush into making a signing for the sake of it.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025
The critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes is presently at 20 percent (there’s no audience score yet).
—Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2025
According to the Sun-Sentinel, jury selection will begin Sept. 10, with oral arguments presently set to start Sept. 16.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for presently
Cite this Entry
“Presently.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presently. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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presently
adverb
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