before long

adverb

Definition of before longnext
as in shortly
at or within a short time the painters ought to be done before long

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of before long But before long, it will be measured by whether AI helps the organization make smarter decisions and consistently produce better outcomes. — Ganesh Shankar, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 However, Bell could be back before long, whether on the practice squad or the active roster, after playing 14 games for Seattle last season. — Andrew Destin, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026 The average price of a new car could, before long, jump to $60,000 and beyond. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 19 Aug. 2026 However, the bats that the Padres drafted last month have already begun to make their professional debuts in full-season ball and second-round shortstop Elliot Lascelles could join the Storm before long. — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for before long
Recent Examples of Synonyms for before long
  1. shortly
  2. soon
Adverb
  • Samuel, or Samuil in Bulgarian, was a warrior emperor who battled the Byzantine Empire to expand his kingdom but was ultimately defeated and died shortly afterward in 1014.
    — COSTAS KANTOURIS, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
  • He was taken to a hospital with serious facial injuries but died shortly afterward, according to TASS.
    — Arina Porkhovnik, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of shortly
Adverb
  • The rare show of alignment among fierce rivals was soon countered by comments from Meta’s Zuckerberg and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, both of whom dismissed the slowdown idea.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the full-scale deployment of the ClarosTechUV PFAS destruction system is soon to take place at Daikin’s manufacturing facility in Decatur.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of soon

Browse Nearby Words

beforehand
before long
befoul
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Before long.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/before%20long. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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