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
Employers are no longer hiring based solely on credentials.
—
Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Individuals suffering solely from mental illness will be excluded from eligibility.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
The apparel was made solely for the showcase, and will not be sold.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 July 2025
Expansion dilutes solely the 42% held by WNBA teams and not the share held by the NBA or investors, as Sportico reported in March.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for solely
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Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Individuals suffering solely from mental illness will be excluded from eligibility.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
The apparel was made solely for the showcase, and will not be sold.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 18 July 2025
Expansion dilutes solely the 42% held by WNBA teams and not the share held by the NBA or investors, as Sportico reported in March.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for solely
Cite this Entry
“Solely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solely. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solely
adverb
sole·ly
ˈsō(l)-lē 
2
: only entry 2 sense 1a
done solely for money
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