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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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 Then push the seeds into the soil about a quarter inch deep and cover lightly with soil. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 The action begins with the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes, where a field of lightly raced two-year-olds will sprint 6½ furlongs on the dirt for a $250,000 purse. — Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Riding the wall, Volkwine shot through a turn and launched several feet into the air above the half-pipe, landing lightly beside his colleagues. — Noah Daly july 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2026 The ideal texture should be creamy, smooth, and lightly set, not overly thick like pudding. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly

Adverb

Mornings can easily be filled wandering the grounds, and afternoons could disappear beside one of the two pools or beneath an olive tree with a good book.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
The Gemini Moon moves through your 5th House of Creativity and sextiles the Leo Sun in your 7th House of Partnership, helping humor, flirtation, brainstorming, or self-expression flow more easily with someone else.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of easily

Adverb

Take a cue from this street style look by pairing a khaki wrap skirt with a tank tank for a tonal outfit that feels effortlessly polished.

— Amanda Le, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026
With several customer favorites back in stock, now feels like the right time to refresh my wardrobe with pieces that pack easily, layer effortlessly, and create multiple outfit options all season long.

— Paris Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of effortlessly

Adverb

Videos on Iranian social media showed many women at the cafes flouting mandatory veiling laws, and crowds mixing freely.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
That is considerably easier from an AI-training perspective than allowing autonomous trucks to travel freely through ordinary cities or mixed public traffic.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of freely

Adverb

In one test, Claude had to rewrite a piece of code to use GPUs—the chips for training AI—more efficiently.

— Harry Booth, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
That work can still be done faster, more efficiently and transparently, and with the public engaged at every step rather than informed after decisions are made.

— Daniel Jernigan, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of efficiently

Adverb

Even if construction materials were readily available, the chips that the massive buildings house are in short supply.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
Presented annually since 2003, the award recognizes a film professional or organization for exceptional contributions to Asian cinema — a description the Busan festival said Yeoh has readily fulfilled across her four-decade career in movies.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of readily

Browse Nearby Words

lightless

lightly

light-minded

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

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Synonyms of lightly

adverb

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