as in meekly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
humbly accepted the criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of humbly
Unlike its sprawling neighbor, Riverside Church, a few streets over, Broadway Presbyterian stands humbly on a fraction of sidewalk, with a mere four stairs leading up to its fire-engine-red doors.
—
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Founded in 1896, the club began humbly with a nine-hole layout near Tralee before moving to Fenit Island, where golfers played against the backdrop of Barrow Harbour.
—Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In a world often too quick to forget those who serve quietly and humbly, Roland’s story is remembered by family, friends and colleagues as one of true leadership.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Lan’s entrepreneurial journey began humbly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Founded in 1896, the club began humbly with a nine-hole layout near Tralee before moving to Fenit Island, where golfers played against the backdrop of Barrow Harbour.
—Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In a world often too quick to forget those who serve quietly and humbly, Roland’s story is remembered by family, friends and colleagues as one of true leadership.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Lan’s entrepreneurial journey began humbly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
Adverb
-
City succumbed too meekly given their spine included Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri and Haaland at the end of the match.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
-
United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974, and surrendered meekly to Tottenham in the Europa League final.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
As North Korean leader Kim Jong Un stepped off his armored green train in Beijing on Tuesday, greeted by Chinese officials shaking his hand and leading him down a red carpet, many observers noticed a young girl walking behind him, smiling politely, dressed in black with her hair tied in a bow.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Always ask politely before plugging in your phone.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Nick, who was dressed in a crisp two-piece suit and black dress shoes, later emerges from the pool and sheepishly walks over to James to greet her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Meanwhile, job-changing remains a bit stronger in industries including manufacturing and construction, where weekly pay periods and ongoing labor supply issues keep turnover modestly higher.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
25 Aug. 2025
-
An update on inflation earlier in August showed that consumer prices remained modestly higher in July, compared with a year ago.—
Damian J. Troise,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
After losing to lowly Northern Illinois in the second game, Notre Dame won its final 10 regular season games against a weak slate of teams before winning three in a row in the postseason against Indiana, Georgia and Penn State.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The sense of nothing going to waste—of experiences, lowly or intense, being stashed away for creative recycling—resounds through Kushins’s biography.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbly. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share