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 Mette Brink Søberg, the head of research and development, delicately topped a berry gazpacho dish with colorful flower petals, recently plucked from the nearby garden, in the test kitchen. — James Brooks, Fortune, 30 July 2026 The delicately striated crystal floated up from its tangle of purple moss, rotating slowly before Rey snapped her full concentration toward it, holding it firmly in the air and between her two outstretched hands. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026 These waxy, starchy potatoes turn tender while the crust becomes delicately crisp. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 24 July 2026 What’s less arguable is the quality of Kinnear’s performance, a fine study in comic understatement at first that modulates into a delicately limned portrait of pain barely stifled. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026 The capers and sauce made for a delicately delicious fish dish served with a side of artichoke hearts and fingerling potatoes. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 16 July 2026 Her nude lip, lined ever so delicately with a skin-complementing brown, matched the visage. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026 In summer 2026, fashion brands are offering less and less chunky sandals and instead leaning into minimalist cage-toe designs and thin ankle straps that delicately wrap around the foot. — René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 3 July 2026 But true lambrusco, made in the Italian province of Emilia-Romagna is dry, bracing and delicately effervescent. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicately

Adverb

Her baby lies still in her arms, his breathing faintly wheezing.

— Fatma Tanis, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
As that handover proceeds, the excitatory signal that keeps your muscles faintly tensed all day begins to withdraw, and muscle tone drops toward the near-paralysis of deep sleep.

— Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 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

The hole gently bends from right to left, with fairway bunkers staggered along both sides.

— Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Sprawling acres of largely barren farmland, still owned by the sugarcane plantations that dominated the islands’ economy for a century, line the side of the highway here, gently sloping toward the craggy green cliffs of the Waimea Canyon.

— Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 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

From faux foliage on the ceiling to animal sounds playing softly in the bathroom stalls, the whole experience feels as if the Rainforest Cafe was rebranded for adults with deep pockets.

— Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Lowe grounded softly to second for a potential game-ending double play but beat the throw as De La Cruz scored easily.

— CBS News, CBS News, 31 July 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 7 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of delicately

adverb

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