shortly

Adverb

shortly (not comparable)

1. In a short or brief time or manner; quickly.
   • […] his two ill-conditioned, canine favorites, which sat shivering before the smoky little fire, barking shortly and sharply now and then, by way of hinting for some slight refreshment.1862, Mary Elizabeth Braddon, Lady Audley's Secret
2. In or after a short time; soon.
   • The past perfect progressive is used for actions and situations which had continued up to a past moment or shortly before it.
   • No matter how early I came down, I would find him on the veranda, smoking cigarettes, or otherwise his man would be there with a message to say that his master would shortly join me if I would kindly wait.1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 46
3. In few words.
   • Ideas are generally expressed more shortly in verse than in prose
   • We shall not describe this tragical scene too fully; but we thought ourselves obliged, by that historic integrity which we profess, shortly to hint a matter which we would otherwise have been glad to have spared.1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   briefly, concisely

4. In an irritable ("short") manner.
   • "Stop interrupting me, will ya?" she said shortly.
   • 'Well, I still think it was a rather off-hand way for you—for anyone—to behave,' he said shortly.
     Suddenly Melody felt trapped—and annoyed. And she didn't like being spoken to like a child, either.2009, Susanne James, The Millionaire's Chosen Bride, page 147

   Synonyms:

   abruptly, curtly