LIGHTLY Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

lightly

adverb

ˈlīt-lē

Definition of lightly

as in easily

without difficulty you're not going to get off lightly if they catch you!

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 lightly Prune lightly in summer to shape trees, but avoid fall or early winter cuts that risk cold damage. — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026 With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out the dough to a roughly 9 × 12-inch rectangle, 1/4 inch thick. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Here’s the remainder of our conversation, which has been lightly edited for length and clarity. — Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Using a spoon lightly coated in oil and working in batches of 6–8, spoon irregular amounts of batter into pot. — Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly

Adverb

Taurus April 20 – May 20 A creative idea could come together more easily than expected.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
April 20 – May 20 A creative idea could come together more easily than expected.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of easily

Adverb

Labor Day weekend is over, and millions of travelers are making their way home, but passengers at Atlanta's airport said the trip was going smoothly Tuesday morning.

— Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Thinking, decision-making and action occur simultaneously, smoothly and instinctively.

— Gaurav Kapoor, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of smoothly

Adverb

The best fall dresses transition effortlessly into the colder months—and this one does so perfectly.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2026
What to read next Things to do One of Istanbul's greatest pleasures is discovering how effortlessly the city layers empires, religions and cultures.

— Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of effortlessly

Adverb

He was beloved for his grace and elegance on the court and his easy-going manner off it.

— Don Riddell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
There was no sign of the usual easy-going, affable nature that has been so indicative of Joe Root’s personality in his 14 years as an England cricketer.

— Paul Newman, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of easy

Adverb

The South Shore & South Bend also depends on being able to switch freight freely among all railroads operating on the Chicago network, Gilbertson said, and this could be adversely affected if the industry gets more concentrated.

— John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
In court filings, however, the government said Morales García told federal agents he was born in Mexico and freely chose to return there.

— María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of freely

Adverb

Because prolonged campaigns exhaust soldiers, supplies, and the resources of the state, military objectives should be achieved as quickly and efficiently as circumstances permit.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
While many industries are still determining how to deploy AI effectively, in transportation, AI is delivering real-world results, making drivers and pedestrians safer and moving people, vehicles and goods more efficiently through traffic networks.

— Bryan Mistele, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of efficiently

Adverb

With the top tucked away, the car more readily reveals the extra style added to its interior.

— Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
But plenty of brands, from Bode to Brunello Cucinelli, have brought their own spin on the look, while mainstream fashion brands like Quince and Madewell make the jacket more readily available for the everyday woman.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of readily

Browse Nearby Words

lightless

lightly

light-minded

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightly. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lightly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

watershed

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes