forthwith
gb/fˈɔɹθwˈɪθ/ us/fˈɔɹθwˈɪθ/
C1
English
~ 25500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
relation
1
immediately; without any delay
Immediately, with no waiting time, often in legal or very formal writing.
Usage pattern:
to do [something] forthwith
Common mistake:
Learners often think "forthwith" can be used in everyday casual speech instead of "right away" or "immediately". In modern English, "forthwith" sounds formal or legal and is mainly used in official writing, legal documents, and very formal instructions.
Synonyms
immediately (Most common neutral adverb; used in all styles, not especially formal or legal.)
|
at once (Very common and neutral; slightly more conversational than "forthwith".)
|
without delay (Formal like "forthwith", but more transparent in meaning and used outside legal texts.)
Antonyms
later (Implies doing something after some time, not right now.)
|
eventually (Suggests something will happen after a long or uncertain wait, opposite of urgency.)
Collocations
pay forthwith
|comply forthwith
|cease forthwith
|execute forthwith
|respond forthwith
|be carried out forthwith
Themes
law
|business
|communication
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company was ordered to refund the clients forthwith.
- If you do not vacate the premises forthwith, legal action may follow.
- The judge directed that the documents be released forthwith.
- All unauthorized construction must cease forthwith.
- The balance of the debt shall be paid forthwith upon receipt of this notice.
Learner examples
- You must leave the building forthwith.
- The bank asked him to pay the money forthwith.
- The manager wrote that we should reply forthwith.
- The court said the files must be given forthwith.
- The contract says the work must start forthwith.
unknown
archaic
C2
relation
2
from this moment onward
Starting now and going on into the future.
Usage pattern:
Forthwith, [someone] [does something]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume this old use of "forthwith" meaning "from now on" is still common. In modern English, this meaning is extremely rare and "henceforth" or "from now on" are normally used instead.
Synonyms
henceforth (Common set word for "from now on" in formal or literary style; still more current than this sense of "forthwith".)
Antonyms
hitherto (Means "until now" rather than "from now on".)
Collocations
forthwith resolve
|forthwith determine
|forthwith declare
Themes
literature
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Forthwith, he resolved to live a more honest life.
- The king declared that, forthwith, new laws would guide the realm.
- She decided forthwith to devote her days to study.
Learner examples
- Forthwith, the man lives alone.
- The writer says that, forthwith, the war is over.
- In the story, the town is forthwith at peace.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forthwith
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹθwˈɪθ/
US/fˈɔɹθwˈɪθ/
Syllables & stress
forth - with (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (forth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: forthwith
- Plural: forthwiths
Word family
Forms
forthwiths
noun
Related words
forth
adverb B2
forthcoming
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
henceforth
adverb C1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.