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
However, the white paper justifies China's development of missile defense capabilities, saying it is motivated solely by self-defense and does not target any country or region.
—
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Since 2008, European businesses led by men and women receive 10x more funding than businesses led solely by women.
—Kathy Harvey, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
Another judge prohibited immigration agents from targeting people based solely on factors such as their race, language, job or location after concluding that agents were carrying out indiscriminate stops.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for solely
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Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
Since 2008, European businesses led by men and women receive 10x more funding than businesses led solely by women.
—Kathy Harvey, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025
Another judge prohibited immigration agents from targeting people based solely on factors such as their race, language, job or location after concluding that agents were carrying out indiscriminate stops.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 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 5 Dec. 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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