lightly

adverb

ˈlīt-lē How to pronounce lightly (audio)
Definition of lightlynext
as in easily
without difficulty you're not going to get off lightly if they catch you!

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 The pencil comes in five hues—including black, brown, and taupe—and its pigment goes on lightly to avoid a look that’s too thick or opaque. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation said airports in the cities of Najran and Jizan were hit Monday, damaging both facilities and leaving three lightly injured. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 The pressure might wear on another actor, but Zada carries the weight of such company lightly. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 2 Oct. 2026 Still, Johnston said the decision to set a strike date was not made lightly. — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly
  1. easily
  2. smoothly
  3. effortlessly
  4. easy
  5. freely
  6. efficiently
  7. readily
Adverb
  • But Ry quite easily shows that Daisy trained on a lot of different data.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But Huang regards it as just another attractor in the landscape — albeit a potentially catastrophic one — that can be all too easily accessed by many different routes.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of easily
Adverb
  • Their research showed that Chinese import competition did lasting damage to American manufacturing communities, which did not adjust as smoothly as optimistic accounts of globalization predicted.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In theory, the casting of ballots should proceed smoothly from here.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Adverb
  • The hair accessories blended effortlessly with her texture, folding between the body of her hair thanks to celebrity hair architect Igor Rosales.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Its Jibbitz charms, which snap directly into ventilation holes on its shoes, let wearers mix and match playful designs to effortlessly showcase their personal style.
    — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of effortlessly
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
  • Gizelle Bryant freely acknowledging her role in the production and distribution of mess?
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • In their own orbit 16 miles northeast, the Platoffs move more freely between tradition and creative expression.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of freely
Adverb
  • There is almost no population immunity to H5N1, roughly half of human cases are fatal, and the virus does not yet spread efficiently between people.
    — Raj Panjabi, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, decisions were not always made efficiently or in coordination with other departments, according to a staff report.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of efficiently
Adverb
  • The four-year program is designed to prep students for a myriad of fields — modern theme park design firms work not only on new attractions but readily contribute to museums, zoos, immersive marketing events and more.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the atoll's reefs have since recovered, but some didn't bounce back as readily.
    — Lauren Sommer, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of readily

Browse Nearby Words

lightless
lightly
light-minded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightly. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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