DELICATELY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

delicately

adverb

Definition of delicately

as in faintly

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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 delicately Market value is typically higher than book value for profitable companies, but Boeing and Lockheed’s earnings suggest that ULA’s finances are, to put it delicately, fragile. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026 Guadagnino’s personal connection might also be why certain subjects are dealt with delicately. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026 Her makeup was set with Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Loose Powder around her T-zone and dusted delicately over her lipstick for more staying powder. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026 Its supports touch down like elephant feet, bolstering what could be a mammoth spacecraft, landing delicately next to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Shortly before midnight, the crew beat out a fifty-acre fire that was smoldering delicately through lush green tundra. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Up front, the delicately tapered nose hints at two of Maranello’s greatest hits from the 1980s, the 512 BBi and the Testarossa. — Basem Wasef, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026 And as Maruša pushes back her departure again and again, Alja’s behavior becomes more erratic — dark and deeply sad revelations that Menart tempers with a delicately irreverent sense of humor. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026 As more and more people flock to the parks, overcrowding has begun to cause harm to the land’s natural resources, disrupting the delicately balanced ecosystem that makes the place so special. — Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicately

Adverb

Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
The scenery is almost irresistible in fall, when the air is faintly pumpkin-scented and the pace slows.

— Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of faintly

Adverb

Their approaches from the weekend flash in front of them, each one shakily filmed from a distance by Artisan.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
The archival, iconic footage of Jordan scoring 38 points while dealing with illness in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was intended to inspire willpower in a Bruins team that had run shakily out of the starting gate in its last two tournament games.

— Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of shakily

Adverb

Its 30% Saccharomyces yeast ferment contains 3% N-acetylglucosamine, an amino sugar that gently encourages surface exfoliation without relying on AHAs or BHAs, helping skin look smoother and more even with less potential for irritation.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
Use a microfiber cloth, mild dish soap, and warm water to gently clean zellige tiles without damaging them.

— Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of gently

Adverb

Led by Arne Güllich, researchers analyzed the developmental histories of 35,000 world-class adults, including Nobel laureates and Olympians, finding early excellence is weakly linked to adult achievement.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Native traditions have repeatedly been acknowledged in principle – named, counted, formally recognized – but weakly protected in practice.

— Kerri J. Malloy, The Conversation, 9 July 2026

Definition of weakly

Adverb

There was a new moon, a thin crescent of pale light, shining softly in the sky.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
An ingenious means of admitting natural light has been contrived so that, during the daytime, parts of these wonderfully austere and stony subterranean cellars, which ought to be very dark indeed, remain softly radiant.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of softly

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delicate

delicately

delicious

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“Delicately.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicately. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of delicately

adverb

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