as in meekly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
humbly accepted the criticism
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 humbly
Despite his success, Yamamoto still carries himself humbly.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
While skiing in the Dolomites, I was humbly reminded that most hotel rooms in Italy don’t have coffee makers.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Greenidge puts her aims even more humbly.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
Unlike its sprawling neighbor, Riverside Church, a few streets over, Broadway Presbyterian stands humbly on a fraction of sidewalk, with a mere four stairs leading up to its fire-engine-red doors.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Founded in 1896, the club began humbly with a nine-hole layout near Tralee before moving to Fenit Island, where golfers played against the backdrop of Barrow Harbour.
—Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In a world often too quick to forget those who serve quietly and humbly, Roland’s story is remembered by family, friends and colleagues as one of true leadership.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Lan’s entrepreneurial journey began humbly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
While skiing in the Dolomites, I was humbly reminded that most hotel rooms in Italy don’t have coffee makers.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Oct. 2025
Greenidge puts her aims even more humbly.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Sep. 2025
Unlike its sprawling neighbor, Riverside Church, a few streets over, Broadway Presbyterian stands humbly on a fraction of sidewalk, with a mere four stairs leading up to its fire-engine-red doors.
—Paige Williams, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Founded in 1896, the club began humbly with a nine-hole layout near Tralee before moving to Fenit Island, where golfers played against the backdrop of Barrow Harbour.
—Jeff Goudy, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
In a world often too quick to forget those who serve quietly and humbly, Roland’s story is remembered by family, friends and colleagues as one of true leadership.
—Kansas City Star, 17 Aug. 2025
Lan’s entrepreneurial journey began humbly.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
Adverb
-
In other words, students prepare for citizenship in a disputatious society by practicing the civic arts—by asserting and advocating for their views—not by meekly absorbing lessons from their instructors.—
Christopher L. Eisgruber,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Well, after years of stuttering, pausing, juddering, waiting for the goalkeeper to dive and then rolling spot kicks meekly into the net, Nick Woltemade may have just reversed the trend.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
The reporter politely persisted.—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Celebrini and Smith mostly smiled, answered the questions, and politely complied with the request in a video that had close to 400,000 views as of early Wednesday.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
An engineer with a litter-picker grabbed the fallen cloth and sheepishly moved it behind the machine, out of my line of sight.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
-
In Inwood, even a pair of volunteers for Cuomo sheepishly stopped him for selfies.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Tourist attractions remain open, but visitors are asked to dress modestly and behave respectfully during the mourning period.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Stocks were headed for a modestly lower open this morning following the Fed’s second interest rate cut of the year and China trade progress emerging, with agreements on fentanyl tariffs and rare earths on the table.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Jay Kelly, despite sporting a lowly Metacritic score of 62 (out of 100), still feels like the Netflix film best positioned for a Best Picture nomination, if for no other reason than the Hollywood factor.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
17 Oct. 2025
-
How decisive this win proves to be for Miami will be determined next week in the final round of games, when Inter is on the road at Nashville while Cincinnati is at home to lowly Montreal.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbly. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share