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 The Tartan Army duly took a victory lap with kilts and bagpipes. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026 Home Assistant proclaimed 2023 to be the Year of the Voice and duly launched a prototype Voice Assistant. — New Atlas, 14 June 2026 The show was a massive hit, and a lawsuit duly followed. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 June 2026 Once the inside of the glass is duly coated with crème de violette, invert entirely to discard excess. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for duly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for duly
  1. properly
  2. correctly
  3. appropriately
  4. happily
Adverb
  • Analysts say big changes are needed if Volkswagen is to properly compete with Chinese EV makers, which typically benefit from lower labor costs.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
  • Then in February, a state appeals court repealed the ruling, saying the lawsuit was not properly served.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
Definition of properly
Adverb
  • This includes a way to make sure hardware and software are functioning correctly, and also change management for software development.
    — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
  • For example, a dividend must be calculated, withheld correctly and paid to the shareholder.
    — Mike Cahill, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of correctly
Adverb
  • The data might be strong, and the expression levels are regulated appropriately.
    — Kristofer Mussar, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • With that said, Spanish star Rodri will have a target on his back (or, more appropriately, his ankles).
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of appropriately
Adverb
  • In Japan, fans come up with a song for each player and sing it happily and relentlessly.
    — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
  • But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have happily shared their joy at being parents when speaking at different events, and have even given fans some tiny glimpses of life with their growing kids.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 23 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on duly

Nglish: Translation of duly for Spanish Speakers

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 parochial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
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
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All