duly

adverb

ˈdü-lē How to pronounce duly (audio)
Definition of dulynext
as in properly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose the perpetrators of this outrageous crime will be duly punished

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 duly Inès Konan kept her cool despite a three-minute delay for a VAR check and duly dispatched the penalty to open the scoring for Ivory Coast. — ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 That enchantment is duly enhanced by the sylvan atmosphere of Central Park at dusk. — Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026 On July 29, 1938, Irvin Shapiro duly applied for the imprimatur from Hollywood’s censorship regime. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 Mbappé stepped up in the 70th minute and duly converted for his seventh goal of the tournament – overtaking Lionel Messi in the Golden Boot race due to his assist total. — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for duly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duly
  1. properly
  2. correctly
  3. appropriately
  4. happily
Adverb
  • Mattia Sala, the product manager for SMEG USA, agrees that silverware handles should always point downward, but adds that silverware should be properly spaced out within a dishwasher’s silverware caddy.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of properly
Adverb
  • The appeal asked that the court either excuse the juror who was allegedly refusing to follow instructions or inquire further to determine whether the juror could in fact follow the judge's instructions to correctly apply the law.
    — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • How to Use Your Range Hood Effectively Getting the most out of your range hood is less about using it constantly and more about using it correctly.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of correctly
Adverb
  • Here's why even more are ahead To be as comfortable as possible, dress appropriately for the weather, use bug spray and bring a blanket, a sleeping bag, or a reclining chair to lie on.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • In a letter to ICE's acting director Thursday, Cortez Masto and 15 of her colleagues in the Democratic caucus questioned ICE's need to spend up to $20 million to buy the devices, as well as the agency's ability to use them appropriately.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of appropriately
Adverb
  • With beads of sweat still streaking down his face, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer happily went over the checklist on his personal notepad after the Gamecocks’ 57-0 season-opening win over Kent State.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The team here will happily advise on how best to spend your time.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of happily

Browse Nearby Words

dully
duly
dumb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Duly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/duly. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of magnanimous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All