1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Recent Examples of softly
Bailey drove again to the basket and softly banked in a left-handed layup to trim the Monarchs’ lead to 73-72.
—
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Land softly with your knees bent and go right into your next jump squat.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 29 Jan. 2026
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
So, when love shows up softly, the mind often fails to register it and then concludes that nothing meaningful is happening here.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Luxurious design elements range from a Bianco Eclipse Quartzite island in the kitchen to a Cloud Chandelier in the dining room, allowing both spaces to stand out, while warm lighting and softly shimmering gold cabinetry foster harmony between the two.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026
Stay overnight for the full experience, or just visit for the evening, sipping a cocktail at the New York Grill & Bar and taking in the city views from the 52nd floor as jazz plays softly in the background.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Rosie started softly, to match the question, but finished in a sort of triumphant cackle.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Back at the tent, a woman approached Sandra, who spoke softly to her before turning to the other volunteers.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 29 Jan. 2026
Land softly with your knees bent and go right into your next jump squat.
—Rikkilynn Shields Hannigan, Health, 29 Jan. 2026
In the front of the bus, Kilgo first started chuckling softly.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 28 Jan. 2026
So, when love shows up softly, the mind often fails to register it and then concludes that nothing meaningful is happening here.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Luxurious design elements range from a Bianco Eclipse Quartzite island in the kitchen to a Cloud Chandelier in the dining room, allowing both spaces to stand out, while warm lighting and softly shimmering gold cabinetry foster harmony between the two.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 Jan. 2026
Stay overnight for the full experience, or just visit for the evening, sipping a cocktail at the New York Grill & Bar and taking in the city views from the 52nd floor as jazz plays softly in the background.
—Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Rosie started softly, to match the question, but finished in a sort of triumphant cackle.
—Nell Freudenberger, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Back at the tent, a woman approached Sandra, who spoke softly to her before turning to the other volunteers.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
There are many doors in Emily’s world—doors for liars, stair climbers, tigers, snakes, and those who speak very quietly—but none for Emily.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Las Cruces sits quietly in the southern stretch of New Mexico, framed by the Organ Mountains on one side and vast desert sky on the other, setting the scene for a truly romantic weekend soaking in Southwestern culture.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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How Much Grease Is Too Much There's no set rule, but a good guideline is to avoid grease visibly pooling around meat or ingredients instead of coating them lightly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
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Turn dough out onto a surface and knead lightly to bring together (dough may seem dry but will come together by the end of the rolling process; if dough feels very dry and crumbly add up to 2 Tbsp.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The outline of the jaw jitters faintly—two layers are ever so slightly misaligned.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The bonito smelled barely of the ocean, clean and faintly salty.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Smith suggests gently opening the door with a brief, compassionate check-in.—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Still a work in progress, but also a person not willing to go gently into the dying light.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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One man aboard the boat knew how to navigate the mangroves and sandbars of the keys, and with the late summer sun beating down on the rafters, the boat pushed out feebly into the open ocean.—
Miriam Pensack,
The Dial,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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On an idyllic farm in rural Georgia, Black beekeeping parents tenderly share their knowledge of life, love, and nature with their young sons while restoring their homestead.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
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Incredibly, Joel takes a seat and begins to tenderly tickle the ivories.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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