sweetly

1 of 2

adverb

sweet·​ly
Synonyms of sweetlynext
1
: agreeably, comfortably, pleasantly
has a sweetly simple logic at first glanceStuart Chase
so golden and sweetly hot it wasJohn Galsworthy
2
a
archaic : in a courteous or kindly manner : graciously
b
: in an affectionate or loving manner
spoke sweetly to him
3
: with sweetness : in a manner sweet to the senses
churches whose bells pealed so sweetlyLamp
4
: charmingly
she was indeed sweetly fairGeorge Meredith
5
: finely, greatly
used as an intensive
will have to pay sweetly for it
6
: in an easy manner : smoothly
the rope running sweetly between usWynford Vaughan-Thomas
the paper was coming off sweetly nowEdna Ferber

sweetly

2 of 2

adjective

"
archaic
: sweet
flowers which smelt so sweetlyThomas Hardy

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English sweteliche, swetely, from swete sweet + -liche -ly -ly (adverb suffix)

Adjective

sweet + -ly (adjective suffix)

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Cite this Entry

“Sweetly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweetly. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

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