as soon as possible
5 synonyms for as soon as possible, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Phrase — At the earliest moment that circumstances allow; without any avoidable delay.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
at your earliest convenience
without delay
How to use as soon as possible
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
reply as soon as possible
as soon as possible please
get back to me as soon as possible
Neutral and very common in business email. The initialism ASAP is more casual and can read as pushy in formal writing.
Etymology
A fixed phrase; its initialism ASAP is now a word in its own right.
Full origin of as soon as possible →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between as soon as possible and immediately?
Immediately means right now, with no delay at all. As soon as possible allows for real constraints, so it means the earliest point at which the person can realistically act, which might be later today or tomorrow.
Is ASAP rude?
It can be. Because it is short and urgent it often reads as a demand, especially without a please or a deadline. Naming an actual date and time is usually clearer and lands better than ASAP.
