slowly

adverb

slow·ly | \ ˈslō-lē

Definition of slowly

: in a slow manner : not quickly, fast, early, rashly, or readily

Synonyms & Antonyms Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide Example Sentences Learn More about slowly

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Slow vs. Slowly: Usage Guide

Some commentators claim that careful writers avoid the adverb slow, in spite of the fact that it has had over four centuries of usage. have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower — William Shakespeare In actual practice, slow and slowly are not used in quite the same way. Slow is almost always used with verbs that denote movement or action, and it regularly follows the verb it modifies. beans … are best cooked long and slow — Louise Prothro Slowly is used before the verb a sense of outrage, which slowly changed to shame — Paul Horgan and with participial adjectives. a slowly dawning awareness … of the problem — Amer. Labor Slowly is used after verbs where slow might also be used burn slow or slowly and after verbs where slow would be unidiomatic. the leadership turned slowly toward bombing as a means of striking back — David Halberstam

Examples of slowly in a Sentence

Things are slowly getting better. walked slowly toward the ringing phone

Recent Examples on the Web

Truth be told, this summertime tradition in Daytona lost its identity years ago and has been slowly withering away ever since. — Mike Bianchi, orlandosentinel.com, "Rain-postponed Coke Zero Sugar 400 is proof that Fourth of July racing in Daytona lost its identity years ago | Commentary," 6 July 2019 New York's offense slowly chipped away at the deficit while their defense held the frustrated Mercury to the perimeter, and eventually evened the score at 36-36. — Julia Stumbaugh, azcentral, "Phoenix Mercury fall to Kia Nurse, New York Liberty, 80-76," 6 July 2019 Trucks are more expensive, fuel’s more expensive, drivers are more expensive, insurance is more expensive ... Everything goes up slowly. — Robert Channick, chicagotribune.com, "Monday’s gas tax hike: It’s going to hit more than motorists," 2 July 2019 Guerra said that at this time of year, the department does get calls for ducklings or for turtles going too slowly across the road. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sussex Fire Department helps a 9-year-old reunite two trapped ducklings with their mother and 14 siblings," 26 June 2019 The state’s attorney called each expert to the stand, slowly building a case against Stephen Brockway, who prosecutors say orchestrated the shooting death of Richard Moore, 66. — Sarah Sarder, Dallas News, "In Collin County murder-for-hire trial, state calls on experts to prove man gave killer details for hit," 26 June 2019 With 200,000 followers, Tyler, who recently graduated from university, has been slowly building her dedicated Instagram audience for five years. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "Why Your Instagram Needs a Makeunder in 2019," 12 June 2019 Brandon Morrow is going slowly after a setback in his recovery from offseason elbow surgery, and Pedro Strop just returned after another hamstring injury. — Jay Cohen, Houston Chronicle, "Closer Craig Kimbrel, Cubs finalize $43M, 3-year deal," 7 June 2019 Legal lows Research has gone slowly because of the drug’s illegality. — The Economist, "Magic mushrooms, illegal in most places, may have therapeutic uses," 7 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'slowly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.