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 This time, France is the favorite (no matter what their coach Didier Deschamps humbly claims). — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 July 2026 The restaurant from Yao and co-owners Ryan Bailey and Nikki Reginaldo began humbly, as did its beverage program. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 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 Intricate details of both spacecraft stages, down to some individual rivets, can be seen along the spacecraft hulls, while Earth hangs humbly in the background on the bottom half of the frame. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 18 May 2026 Culhane humbly says this is what helped platform him. — Ella Gonzales may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 Our journey began humbly in 1983 with high-stakes bingo. — Cody J Martinez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 The archbishop knocks on the door with a pastoral staff and humbly requests admission to the cathedral. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
  1. meekly
  2. politely
  3. sheepishly
  4. submissively
  5. deferentially
  6. modestly
  7. lowly
Adverb
  • 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
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • This could leave you feeling confused whether you’re being praised, tested or politely managed.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The woman usually introduces herself politely and grabs a seat to listen to the whistle of hot water pouring from a thermos.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
  • But their erotic encounter is short-lived, as Joe tumbles and blows his back out while sheepishly dancing to Sade.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 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
  • Strong first-half absorption paired with a collapsing delivery schedule is the classic precondition for pricing power to return in the back half of the year — modestly and unevenly, market by market, but return nonetheless.
    — Brad Hunter, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • Statins can also modestly increase blood sugar and the likelihood of developing diabetes, especially in people who already have risk factors for diabetes.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 27 July 2026
Definition of modestly
Adverb
  • And Colorado Springs Switchbacks earned a 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Kansas City.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
  • To win the division, the Ravens would need to win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh and have the Steelers lose to lowly Cleveland in Week 17.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
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 6 Aug. 2026.

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