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forthwith

forthwith

15 7.3
Without any delay, right away
  • adverb
  • /ˈfɔrθˌwɪθ/
  • Formal
translation icon : inmediatamente
  • I advise all interested parties to apply forthwith.
  • eliminate forthwith

Examples

Synonyms

now
vsforthwith
1.0

At this exact moment or right away

stresses immediate action without hesitation or delay not just present time
immediately
vsforthwith
1.0

At once without waiting

is a more formal less common alternative used in legal contexts
right away
vsforthwith
960 1.0

Without any delay

is the formal one used in writing or official statements
at once
vsforthwith
344 1.0

Immediately without delay

is a more formal single-word option often used in official writing
instantly
vsforthwith
330 1.0

Right away without any delay

is about immediate action without delay or hesitation rather than speed focus
directly
vsforthwith
163 1.0

Do something at once without delay

is a more formal term focusing on immediate action without delay
straight off
vsforthwith
8 3.0

Immediately without delay

is a formal adverb for the same immediacy in writing
straightaway
vsforthwith
7 3.2

Without delay after something happens

is a more formal or written choice for the identical immediacy
like a shot
vsforthwith
  • Informal
4 6.0

Very quickly and without hesitation

is a formal adverb meaning immediate action without strong physical force
with a quickness
vsforthwith
  • Informal
7.2

In a very short time

focuses on immediate response without delay or hesitation not only speed

Antonyms

73 3.2

Slow to act or speak because you feel unsure

1 1.3

Slower than usual in development or learning

How Immediate

instantly
330 1.0
forthwith
  • Formal
15 7.3
soon
1.0

Surface Forms

forthwith positive

Morphology

forthwith = (semi-transparent) = forth + with

Both components are visible ('forth' + 'with'), but the idiomatic meaning 'immediately' is not a straightforward compositional inference for a B1 learner. [Postprocessing: moved 'forth', 'with' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

Forthwith comes from the pieces forth ('forward' or 'out') and with (an old use meaning 'at once' or 'quickly'), so it originally meant to move 'forward right away' and that is why it now means 'immediately'.