1
: to the exclusion of all else
done solely for money
2
: without another : singly
went solely on her way
Examples of solely in a Sentence
His rank was based solely on merit.
You will be held solely responsible for any damage.
She did not write solely for money.
Recent Examples on the Web
Earlier this month, Austin police released a new policy that essentially bans officers from detaining or arresting someone solely based on the presence of an immigration warrant, but does not prevent them from calling the federal agency.
—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
The collaboration with Cohen will turn Peacock’s Bravoverse section essentially into a TikTok feed for solely Bravo content.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Pakistan has previously said its strikes along the border and inside Afghanistan are aimed solely at Khawarij, a phrase Islamabad uses for the TTP.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for solely
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Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
—Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026
The collaboration with Cohen will turn Peacock’s Bravoverse section essentially into a TikTok feed for solely Bravo content.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Pakistan has previously said its strikes along the border and inside Afghanistan are aimed solely at Khawarij, a phrase Islamabad uses for the TTP.
—Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for solely
Cite this Entry
“Solely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solely. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solely
adverb
sole·ly
ˈsō(l)-lē 
2
: only entry 2 sense 1a
done solely for money
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