SLOWLY Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

slowly

adverb

ˈslō-lē

Definition of slowly

as in cautiously

at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected walked slowly toward the ringing phone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 slowly At one point, Prum got on his hands and knees and Ross mounted and rode him slowly like a horse, looking existentially appalled. — Nolan Kelly, Artforum, 26 Oct. 2026 Evidence suggests that is now slowly giving way to coercion and deception. — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 The word or name is still stored safely in the memory, but the brain's search engine is running slowly. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The film slowly relates that the aspiring rapper and superfan ingratiated himself into the band’s circles, flying to New York multiple times as a teenager for the purpose. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slowly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slowly

Adverb

Sams cautiously hopes there will be a rebuilding period for the park service under the next administration.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Kim Alexander is cautiously optimistic that won't be the case.

— Miles Parks, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of cautiously

Adverb

Almond butter on sourdough Almond butter’s healthy fats, paired with a slow-digesting carbohydrate, keep blood sugar stable until morning.

— Patsy Anthony, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026
Thirteen people drown in flash flooding as slow-moving thunderstorms churned through the city in June 2025, with 11 of the victims found near Northeast Loop 410 and the Perrin-Beitel Road on the Northeast Side.

— Katie Bartlett, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of slow

Adverb

Current leaks through transistors that should be switched off, and electrons move more sluggishly through channels only a few atoms thick.

— Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
The fish looks straight at me, flopping sluggishly from side to side.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sluggishly

Browse Nearby Words

slowish

slowly

slowness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slowly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slowly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of slowly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes