MILDLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

mildly

adverb

Definition of mildly

as in lightly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 There’s some mildly threatening gunplay from a man at the end of his tether and yet, for me, this particular digression-of-the-week started to lag. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 The trousers were coordinated with a bolero-style jacket, with long-sleeves and a mildly oversize fit and sharp angular lapels. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The first incorporates a heady blend of cinnamon, clove, garlic, various chile powders and guajillo paste for a fruity, earthy flavor that’s mildly smoky. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The movie played well at a packed Alice Tully Hall, and afterparty revelers were mildly upbeat. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2026 The trade-off is staying at least mildly engaged with their 401(k). — Stuart Robertson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Still, the dialogue can be witty, and the conflicts, whether racial, sexist or classist, are mildly amusing. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 Simply douse it with mildly alkaline water, and the polymer begins degrading, breaking down within minutes. — New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2026 Arkansas State quarterback Trey Owens had plenty of time to operate in the pocket, TCU was just mildly lucky that his accuracy was off in the first half. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mildly

Adverb

Roast the tomatillo, onion and garlic for 20 minutes or until soft and lightly caramelized.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Cook, stirring occasionally but not breaking meat apart, until beef is lightly browned but not crisp, 6–8 minutes.

— Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of lightly

Adverb

The system works passively, with no pumps, actuators, or other moving parts to maintain.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Upon landing, the craft passively self-rights and transitions its dual wingsails to wind propulsion without active morphing, achieving a high 91 percent effective mass usage across air and water.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of passively

Adverb

This fall, Lady Gaga has gently set aside pop superstardom for the busy life of a new mom; the singer and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, welcomed a child together—a daughter named Rose Bean Polansky—in September.

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
The play’s tension, gently but poignantly unspooled, develops from the fact that while Ryan has pursued a career onstage, Charlie never did.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of gently

Adverb

The journey moves through several rooms jumbling period French architecture, the first meekly lit with artificial moonlight and video monitors that flicker out from cracks in the wall.

— Miles Socha, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
His recollections often take the form of dialogues in which interlocutors meekly acknowledge his overwhelming rhetorical advantage.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 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

Machado nearly tied Game 4 with a 406-foot drive off reliever Abner Uribe, but Mitchell coolly tracked it down and reached just above the short wall in right-center to keep it in the yard.

— Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
To do the job, Lowen must temporarily move into the author’s home, a coolly lavish modern house in rural Vermont, where Verity’s many boxes of files are stored—and where, of course, Jeremy also lives.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of coolly

Adverb

The rescue's latest update shows just how far the once-elusive mustang has come — with Outlaw calmly wearing a saddle for the first time.

— CBS Baltimore, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
While four Brewers pitchers combined on a three-hitter and the defense made nearly every big play, Milwaukee’s lineup calmly worked counts, pounded 10 hits through the Padres’ defense and manufactured enough runs to head home smiling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of calmly

Browse Nearby Words

mildewy

mildly

mildness

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mildly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mildly. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mildly

adverb

Example Sentences

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