mildly

adverb

Definition of mildlynext
1
as in lightly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in passively

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 mildly For most, collecting Panini stickers is a low-stakes, mildly addictive way to get caught up in World Cup fever and be part of a social scene where fútbol is a point of national pride and identity. — Maria Jose Gutierrez-Chavez, Curbed, 17 July 2026 In Tapachula, the main city on Mexico’s southern border, the tremor began mildly but gradually intensified. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 Like much of New England, Maine has an independent-minded, anti-establishment electorate, with third-party candidates, Tea Party Republicans, and mildly progressive Democrats all achieving statewide electoral success over the past few decades. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 In Gosha’s case, that involves getting mixed up with gangsters at a seedy nightclub, a sequence that quickly deteriorates from being mildly comical to sinister to outright terrifying by even degrees. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026 Skipping Water First Thing in the Morning After several hours of sleep, your body naturally wakes up mildly dehydrated. — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026 Despite the Dolphins’ youth movement, Miami’s complete lack of interest was mildly surprising because the Dolphins need cornerback help and because Douglas and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan have a background in Green Bay. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Baking soda can also be mixed with water to create a mildly abrasive paste perfect for tackling baked-on oven stains and cleaning bathroom grout. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 6 July 2026 Alex Bregman discovered that last week and was booed mildly in his next game at Wrigley Field. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mildly
  1. lightly
  2. passively
  3. gently
  4. meekly
  5. leniently
  6. tamely
  7. coolly
  8. calmly
Adverb
  • Broil until the cheese and tomatoes are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Peacock’s aim appears to be translating this pleasant, lightly anesthetizing experience to the screen, with a bunch of name-brand stars plugged in to draw viewers.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
Definition of lightly
Adverb
  • Altitude control comes from changing overall motor thrust, and its spinning nature makes the drone passively stable.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
  • Wearable solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life, collecting data passively and allowing it to be shared with clinicians, partners, or support networks when needed.
    — Matt Emma, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of passively
Adverb
  • Minus the dull thud of the boats gently colliding with the wooden posts they’re tied to, the normally busy thoroughfare is quiet.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
  • Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real.
    — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026
Definition of gently
Adverb
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.
    — Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • However, critics have complained to the county board of supervisors that the sheriff was treated more leniently than the average citizen would have been.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
  • The document also reopened the controversy around Jannik Sinner’s doping ban, claiming that he was treated leniently by the ITIA.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
Definition of leniently
Adverb
  • Once the players returned to the field, Diaz inexplicably tried a Panenka-style chip and his weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Dominik Szoboszlai had just squandered a golden chance by firing tamely into the arms of Emiliano Martinez after winning the ball back high up the field when the Kop parked their frustration and vocally declared their unwavering faith in the Dutchman.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of tamely
Adverb
  • Next to me, a woman with colorful tattoo sleeves and a tasseled leather satchel nods coolly behind her sunglasses.
    — Nick H. Penniman, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026
  • Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 July 2026
Definition of coolly
Adverb
  • If the illusion is successful, the decoy serves the purpose of attracting attention from opponents aiming to distract the penalty taker, while the real penalty taker can quietly prepare in the periphery, calmly focusing on his kick.
    — Geir Jordet, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • Mikel Oyarzabal calmly buried his shot to give Spain a 1-0 lead.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 14 July 2026
Definition of calmly

Browse Nearby Words

mildewy
mildly
mildness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mildly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mildly. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on mildly

Nglish: Translation of mildly for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of itinerant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

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

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All