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
This new haircut keeps the main length while cutting in thick bangs that hit equidistance from her brows and hairline, feathered lightly to take away any density or heaviness.
—
Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Additional branches can be lightly trimmed to shape the plant and retain its rounded shape.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Add mushrooms, a couple of pinches salt and pepper, and cook just until lightly brown, about 4 minutes.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Additional branches can be lightly trimmed to shape the plant and retain its rounded shape.
—Marie Iannotti, The Spruce, 29 May 2026
Questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Add mushrooms, a couple of pinches salt and pepper, and cook just until lightly brown, about 4 minutes.
—Judy Bart Kancigor, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly
Adverb
-
Frenchie's flameout was epic and hilarious, Derek X was astute and entertaining, and Claire easily could have been a serious contender on another season.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
-
The second act is tighter and has the best songs, but the whole show could easily be condensed into a 100-minute one-act with little lost.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2026
Adverb
-
An event of this magnitude requires significant planning, personnel, equipment and cooperation to go smoothly.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
31 May 2026
-
Breathing, movement, swallowing — all of it depends on this communication working smoothly.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
Dakota Johnson has the ability to make any garment look effortlessly chic.—
Michel Mejía,
Glamour,
30 May 2026
-
Linen sets have a way of looking effortlessly polished, and this one is no exception.—
Jill Layton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Butlers here are called Aris Meehas, a historical Maldivian reference to someone assigned to serve royalty—thankfully, interactions are more easy-going than overly deferential.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 June 2026
-
The vocals breathe easy, and Skinner’s touch is light.—
Arman Khan,
Pitchfork,
1 June 2026
Adverb
-
On their run to the final, PSG scored so freely — six against Bayern Munich, four against Liverpool, eight against Chelsea.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
-
But until now, nobody had tested what these compounds do to fish living freely in a natural ecosystem.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adverb
-
Staff greet you by name, and requests are handled quickly and efficiently.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Since the Neo Geo’s scaling hardware can efficiently stretch those sprites vertically without much overhead, the raycasting data can be quickly converted into a chunky approximation of a first-person view.—
Kyle Orland,
ArsTechnica,
2 June 2026
Adverb
-
Missing out on Champions League qualification is unlikely to be a major stumbling block given that, in theory at least, Chelsea should be in a better position to challenge for silverware next season and more readily able to compete in Europe’s blue-chip competition longer term than Villa.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
-
In his stead, the United States propped up the venal and repressive shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who proved to be a pliable ally readily serving its oil and armament interests.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightly. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
