now 1 of 4

adverb

ˈnau̇ How to pronounce now (audio)
Definition of nownext
1
as in currently
at the present time that company doesn't make those toys now because they are unsafe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lately
not long ago I was just now wondering what to do about those old clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sometimes
on some occasions goes now here, now there—all seemingly without plan or purpose

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in immediately
without delay come here right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

now

2 of 4

adjective

as in downtown
keenly aware of and responsive to the latest developments especially in fashion and entertainment questioned the moral values of the now generation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

now

3 of 4

conjunction

as in because
for the reason that I'll repeat my question now that you are paying attention

Synonyms & Similar Words

now

4 of 4

noun

as in today
the time currently existing or in progress I know I said you could go, but that was then and this is now

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 now
Adverb
There’s been a noticeable absence of Bieber-esque figures in pop music for a while now, though many have tried to fill that role. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025 The woman behind the 911 call that set off the tragic chain of events leading to Young Scooter’s death on his 39th birthday is now speaking out — contradicting her own initial account of the incident. — Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
However, in what may become a new norm, the notoriously sharp elbowed Jones’ filing, like Lively’s filing late last week with the California Civil Rights department is chock-full of seemingly incriminating texts between the now defendants. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2024 Nick Mosby has supported his now ex-wife throughout her legal saga. — Mikenzie Frost, Baltimore Sun, 4 Dec. 2024
Noun
So pack some sunscreen and a towel, and enjoy the last warm days of the year wearing one of these need-to-know-now brands. — Nila Do Simon, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2020 The see-now-buy-now collection included jewelry, eyewear, shoes and clothing. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2019 See All Example Sentences for now
Recent Examples of Synonyms for now
  1. currently
  2. lately
  3. sometimes
  4. immediately
  5. downtown
  6. today
  7. anymore
  8. late
Adverb
  • The duo is currently in the studio with producer Julian Raymond working on their debut project slated for release later this year.
    — Thania Garcia, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The California state legislature will vote on a bill that would ban biological males from girls' sports in the state, as the state is currently one of the nation's biggest hotbeds for controversial incidents involving trans athletes.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of currently
Adverb
  • Another solid contributor lately has been Zack Bolduc.
    — Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • Flight to safety To be sure, foreign currencies have not moved uniformly against the dollar lately.
    — Jesse Pound, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of lately
Adverb
  • Actually Do Every Day for Better Shut-Eye By Erica Sloan To be honest, runners can sometimes look a little dorky when we’re loaded up with gear.
    — Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Professional wrestling is a business, and that unfortunately means that sometimes wrestlers or backstage personnel move on or are released from a company.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of sometimes
Adverb
  • Trump claimed the rates were roughly half of the tariffs that these countries impose on U.S. goods, but the details of how they were arrived at weren’t immediately available.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Information about the detainees’ charges were not immediately available.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of immediately
Adjective
  • Brian Hopkins, 2nd, whose ward includes Streeterville, responded by calling (not for the first time) for moving the existing 10 p.m. curfew for minors who are downtown without an accompanying adult back to 8 p.m.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This spurred collectors to acquire some organs from movie theaters that were being closed or sold as people shifted from watching movies downtown to watching TV at home in the suburbs.
    — Heather Kathryn Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of downtown
Noun
  • Muhammad announced in the press conference today that this would be her last season competing professionally.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In a two-episode arc starting next week, the 118 firehouse will grapple with a virus that turns into a contagion event — as revealed in the promo (below) that aired after Thursday's episode of the ABC drama (which was just today renewed for season 9).
    — Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of today
Adverb
  • Almost one in four U.S. adults raised Jewish do not identify as religiously Jewish anymore, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center.
    — Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft aren’t just play spaces anymore.
    — Cathy Hackl, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of anymore
Adverb
  • The four-time league MVP has been dealing with a strained left groin of late.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Gusts between 30 and 45 mph are expected to develop over the area late in the morning and continue into the evening.
    — Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of late

Phrases Containing now

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novitiates
now
nowadays
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Cite this Entry

“Now.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/now. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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