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!

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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 Their kindness and concern for her, their hospitality so lightly given, starts to reflect back on Elif. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026 Here is a snapshot of our conversation, lightly edited for length and clarity. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 While JPMorgan faces a vast and onerous regulatory burden—a legacy of all the financial crises caused by bank failures—BlackRock is still relatively lightly regulated. — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026 This whole month is a bit of an emotional landmine, to put it lightly, but the first couple days of October are especially laced with toxins. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly

Adverb

That minor viral hiccup passed easily because of Freeman’s apologies and Williams owning up to his mistake.

— Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Intel made a big push to boost efficiency after its 14th-generation desktop chips, which were known for drawing a lot of power and easily hitting thermal limits.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of easily

Adverb

The silver is especially concentrated around the front and crown, where her hair is swept smoothly back from her face.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
The deodorants that made the cut applied smoothly without excessive residue or irritation and helped keep underarms feeling fresh throughout the day.

— Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of smoothly

Adverb

While the majority of guests were adults, children are well catered for at the hotel's restaurants, and the central location of the property makes getting home early easy.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
These are 10 of the best Airbnbs in the Cotswolds, each an ideal spot to slink back to after a busy day of taking it easy.

— Katie Silcox, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of easy

Adverb

For one, the system was demonstrated in simulations, not a full real-world demonstration in which a freely operating robot continuously read someone's EEG and corrected its behavior around the house.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Oct. 2026
That behavior resembles a liquid crystal, where molecules can move freely but still maintain directional alignment.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of freely

Adverb

Company executives note that this flexibility will help GM scale vehicle production more efficiently, broaden customer reach, and improve profit margins.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Executives like Waldron say this should help the bank run more efficiently.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of efficiently

Adverb

After things go awry in the Congo, the family in The Poisonwood Bible dissolves readily.

— Sam Worley, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
For his part, Khrushchev readily admitted to such behavior in his memoirs, likening his noisy antics to those of revolutionary protesters in the Duma, an imperial Russian legislative body.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of readily

Browse Nearby Words

lightless

lightly

light-minded

See all Nearby Words

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“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of lightly

adverb

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