as in meekly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
humbly accepted the criticism
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Recent Examples of humbly
The drive The test took place humbly in downtown Los Angeles, mostly – no race tracks or solo three-lane highway sojourns.
—
Josh Max, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Theirs started humbly, and a bit unexpectedly.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Chalamet wore a conservative suit and tie and humbly thanked his fellow nominees, a dramatic shift in tone for the actor, who has tended toward the grandiose of late.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2026
In reality, many of the levees still in use today began much more humbly.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
The couple’s story began humbly in 2017, when both worked at a grocery store.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Taking the podium, Jaramillo humbly thanked Hudak and his fellow officers for their support and Mayor Vince Lago praised Jaramillo, saying the city was blessed to have him and assured him that Coral Gables would always stand behind him.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Josh Max, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Theirs started humbly, and a bit unexpectedly.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Chalamet wore a conservative suit and tie and humbly thanked his fellow nominees, a dramatic shift in tone for the actor, who has tended toward the grandiose of late.
—Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 5 Jan. 2026
In reality, many of the levees still in use today began much more humbly.
—Farshid Vahedifard, The Conversation, 29 Dec. 2025
The couple’s story began humbly in 2017, when both worked at a grocery store.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Taking the podium, Jaramillo humbly thanked Hudak and his fellow officers for their support and Mayor Vince Lago praised Jaramillo, saying the city was blessed to have him and assured him that Coral Gables would always stand behind him.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 8 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
Adverb
-
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
The crowd returned the love to the back-to-back All-Star defenseman, politely ignoring his name being misspelled on the video board.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Chock and Bates, sitting next to the kiss-and-cry in white arm chairs reserved for the current leaders, clapped politely.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Shields, 62, sheepishly joked after two false starts.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
If Miami-Dade could lead a competitive bidding effort for a decade-long process in a county’s water infrastructure, why shouldn’t the City of Pembroke Pines do the same for a modestly sized municipal building department after 17 years of one vendor holding the contract?—
Mike Hernández,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
-
There is also evidence that ginger may modestly lower blood glucose levels, which could enhance the effects of certain blood sugar–lowering medication.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
In a 1976 game, lowly Indiana took an early 7-to-6 lead over mighty Ohio State, so unexpected that Corso burned a timeout for the purpose of commemorative photos.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
15 Dec. 2025
-
Three hundred and sixty-five days after the Bears — then a lowly laughing stock en route to a third-straight last-place finish in the NFC North — fired Matt Eberflus as head coach, Johnson’s Bears bested the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles over Thanksgiving weekend.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
4 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Humbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbly. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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