1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Recent Examples of softly
As Rissa emerged from the chapel and began to walk down the aisle during the ceremony, a harpist and choir sang softly in the background, adding to the already emotional atmosphere.
—
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
This image captures the Rubin Observatory beneath a dazzling sweep of the southern Milky Way galaxy, with the Large Magellanic Cloud glowing softly to the left.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The bar—made of white onyx—glows softly from within, inviting you to pull up a stool.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Each layer and appliqué was placed to follow the body softly; never heavy, always refined.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The Brightline’s passenger cars are softly lit with pretty blue LEDs along the ceiling, and the roomy seats are upholstered with soft white leather.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Be sure to use low heat to softly coax your hair into shape without creating excess frizz or flyaways, says Yepez.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
The sleek, stylish, and softly cushioned Sonos Ace Headphones in black are now discounted by $97, and that's music to our ears.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Edman fouled off three two-strike offerings from Sánchez before tapping a ball softly in front of the plate to end the threat.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
This image captures the Rubin Observatory beneath a dazzling sweep of the southern Milky Way galaxy, with the Large Magellanic Cloud glowing softly to the left.
—Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The bar—made of white onyx—glows softly from within, inviting you to pull up a stool.
—Laura Itzkowitz, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Each layer and appliqué was placed to follow the body softly; never heavy, always refined.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The Brightline’s passenger cars are softly lit with pretty blue LEDs along the ceiling, and the roomy seats are upholstered with soft white leather.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 22 Oct. 2025
Be sure to use low heat to softly coax your hair into shape without creating excess frizz or flyaways, says Yepez.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
The sleek, stylish, and softly cushioned Sonos Ace Headphones in black are now discounted by $97, and that's music to our ears.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Edman fouled off three two-strike offerings from Sánchez before tapping a ball softly in front of the plate to end the threat.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
What To Know ICE leaders in these cities were relieved of their jobs and moved to other posts within the federal agency on Friday, with the DHS quietly beginning to overhaul its mass deportation operation over the weekend.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
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Retailers are also feeling the impact; some may quietly factor higher shipping expenses into their prices.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Roast until edges of carrots are lightly browned and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes more.—
Madalyn Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
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The release also said charging documents allege that shortly after meal service, a 17-year-old passenger who had been lightly asleep awoke to find Usiripalli standing over him.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Apart from the gray lines, the dress was crafted with a soft, faintly sheer off-white fabric that complemented the gray elements throughout.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
If the key is taken to be some primordial tradition, echoing faintly across world literature after tens of millennia, any effort to pin it down looks hopeless.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Oct. 2025
-
In all other modes—Air Crisp (air-fry), Bake, Broil, Roast, and Dehydrate—the top heating element and fan are the main source of heat and can handle everything from charring chicken to gently baking cakes.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
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
-
With sensitive skin types in mind, the creamy, fragrance-free formula boasts a simple ingredient list, using glycerin and niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and nonstripping micelles— molecules in micellar water—to tenderly wash away dirt and oil.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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The woman has since adopted the kitten—who turned out to be a boy—and shared sweet updates, including videos of him being tenderly bottle-fed.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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