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humbly

adverb

Definition of humblynext
as in meekly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion humbly accepted the criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 humbly Elordi nearly shoulders the running time but plays his Hig a bit too humbly. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Under the jerseys, Lee, 40, humbly posts a small University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame plaque. — Pj Green august 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 The couple lived humbly, which was a nod to Roy Thompson’s beginnings. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 When Duffy walked out humbly to the stage, with a gentle handwave and smile, Dupree removed his cap atop his long rocker ponytail, put his gruff hand on Duffy’s lean shoulder and asked the crowd for a moment of silence. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026 Knopf humbly acknowledges Visit Orlando and Orlando Health’s role in lifting our community’s boats with a veritable tidal wave of funding, as well as the diners who participate. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 This time, France is the favorite (no matter what their coach Didier Deschamps humbly claims). — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 July 2026 The post shows the actress going from humbly accepting the compliment to striking her best modeling poses as the wind blows through her hair. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Some films herald the scope of their ambitions from the opening frame, whereas others start humbly with a mastery that slowly comes to the fore. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
  1. meekly
  2. politely
  3. sheepishly
  4. submissively
  5. deferentially
  6. modestly
  7. lowly
Adverb
  • His recollections often take the form of dialogues in which interlocutors meekly acknowledge his overwhelming rhetorical advantage.
    — Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
  • When Luke tells him, meekly, not to touch Crystal, Max only wants to know who the young man is.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • Latter-day stars politely shrug off the comparisons; fans are chastened by having witnessed how fame — and a craving for control — undid their favorite performer.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Suggest a timeline, assign a task, or ask the question everyone keeps politely avoiding.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
Definition of sheepishly
Adverb
  • Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of submissively
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Spending remained elevated, easing only modestly to 29% of GDP in 2025, from 31% in 2021.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, also fell modestly to 206,000.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of modestly
Adverb
  • Yet his Parma team-mates ranked lowly too, suggesting this was a tactical instruction.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And Colorado Springs Switchbacks earned a 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Kansas City.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of lowly

Browse Nearby Words

humbling
humbly
humbug
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Cite this Entry

“Humbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbly. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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