DELICATELY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

delicately

adverb

Definition of delicately

as in faintly

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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 Last year, Abrams had delicately cleaned the tombstone of Mary Bailey, who died in 1852 at just 21 years old. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Light, fruity, and delicately tangy, Champagne vinegar is typically made from wines produced using the same grape varieties as Champagne, such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. — Emily Saladino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Oct. 2026 The flour tortillas are Chihuahua-style, delicately flaky, but dense and pliable enough to prevent leakage. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Beyond his sensitivity to light, Zumthor has also delicately handled how the new Beyeler buildings coexist with their environs. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The shoes feature asymmetrical, delicately enveloping lines, and are tapered at the toe. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 The real showstopper, however, is the four-meter silk tulle veil, delicately hand-embroidered with constellations of tiny crystals and beads. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026 But Nyong’o delicately keeps her tears at bay, beautifully reflecting the confidence and mettle that A begins to regain by play’s end. — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicately

Adverb

This is a subject far older than this Lean-In-era epiphany, yet New Stanford stops short at gesturing faintly in the direction of conversations that could theoretically be had.

— Judy Berman, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
For a generation of children only faintly aware of Led Zeppelin, but intimately aware of every second of Wayne’s World thanks to countless repeat viewings, this was extraordinarily confusing.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of faintly

Adverb

Kovacik shakily asked Silverman who the helicopter belonged to.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 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

Bob Iger took a seat on a balcony outside the Perelman Performing Arts Center, in lower Manhattan, the other day and ran a hand gently over his right knee.

— Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Senses are dialled up, receptive, and tender—move gently and lead with care.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gently

Adverb

By the time Robyn joins the conversation, her bestie is on the ropes, feebly trying to insist that the entire matter is a misunderstanding.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
The prime minister has feebly tried to make his own reels in response, but that failed to stem the tide of public irreverence.

— Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of feebly

Adverb

The Tesla soon launched itself from its position beneath the ramp's nearly horizontal ledge, executed a barrel roll in midair, and landed softly, all thanks to its SpaceX cold-gas thrusters.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
His solo debut, Heavy Metal, landed softly in the December hinterlands of 2024, and with it a murmuration of these little fibs.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of delicately

adverb

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