as in nicely
in a pleasing way
we were pleasantly surprised by their offer to put us up for the night
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Recent Examples of pleasantly
Sometimes the bridge going up pleasantly slows the ice cream store traffic during busy times, ice cream shop co-owner Colin Desmarais has said.
—
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
The showrunners have been pleasantly surprised by the synchronicity building between art and life as the series moves deeper into the timeline, inspiring both cast and creators.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
After a week of offensive performances that were as cold as the weather, the bats got hot, helping lead the Mets to two wins in San Francisco as the California weather turned pleasantly warm.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As promised by our intrepid TJ’s correspondent Alex Beggs, the crust was pleasantly puffy, and the onion flavor was just funky enough.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The screen’s swivel mechanism is pleasantly firm and doesn’t move during intense running sessions.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s a weird disconnect between the show’s pleasantly languid visual feel and its characters’ emotions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
While vintage-looking grandmillennial floral wallpapers can be pleasantly old-timey, avoid damask and acanthus leaf patterns at all costs.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Not in an uncomfortable way, but pleasantly consuming.
—Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
The showrunners have been pleasantly surprised by the synchronicity building between art and life as the series moves deeper into the timeline, inspiring both cast and creators.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Apr. 2026
After a week of offensive performances that were as cold as the weather, the bats got hot, helping lead the Mets to two wins in San Francisco as the California weather turned pleasantly warm.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026
As promised by our intrepid TJ’s correspondent Alex Beggs, the crust was pleasantly puffy, and the onion flavor was just funky enough.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
The screen’s swivel mechanism is pleasantly firm and doesn’t move during intense running sessions.
—Craig Rawlins-Wilson, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
There’s a weird disconnect between the show’s pleasantly languid visual feel and its characters’ emotions.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2026
While vintage-looking grandmillennial floral wallpapers can be pleasantly old-timey, avoid damask and acanthus leaf patterns at all costs.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026
Not in an uncomfortable way, but pleasantly consuming.
—Outside Online, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pleasantly
Adverb
-
The whole thing is so confusing that readers are likely to forget who’s who and what each has done, but Ernest draws it all together nicely.—
Sandra Dallas,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Mother Mary strutted to a solid limited opening as The Christophers expanded nicely and Exit 8 kept going.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
19 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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The unfussy result of combining strawberries, rose wine, and cake ingredients is a deliciously easy take on a classic summer berry cake.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
-
There might never have been The Osbournes had Stern not pushed and prodded the deliciously wacky rock star family to bring their story to the airwaves.—
Malina Saval,
Rolling Stone,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Lakers limped painfully into the playoffs Saturday night only to delightfully discover a miracle salve.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Read Full Review Dan Sung Sa The most delightfully chaotic spot in Koreatown, where the soju arrives as quickly as the kimchi pancakes and meat skewers.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Plus, hostas look great planted at the base of medium-to-large hydrangeas to help hide their bare lower stems.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
21 Apr. 2026
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What emerged was an outstanding union of musical influences that act as two great tastes that taste great together!—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Because the eggs act as the main source of structure and height, these cakes are light and delicate, with an enjoyably soft, springy texture.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Still, these are minor faults compared to an enjoyably harsh yet perceptive look at the psychology of Silicon Valley elites.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Isaacman is well suited for leading the space agency during the rise of the commercial space industry, with its large potential profits and much lower launch costs because of reusable rockets.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The extra Day 3 picks are well worth the acquisition cost for one of the best players in the entire class.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Meanwhile, finely grate 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.—
Kate Williams,
AJC.com,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Shrimp Scampi tips and FAQ Recipe information Whisk 2 garlic cloves, finely grated on a microplane, 1 tsp.—
Rick Martinez,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
To that end, the writer-director, Chandler Levack, establishes an agreeably slapdash attitude of hedonistic adventure, one that’s often intentionally borderline cringe.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Jothan seemed agreeably nerdy—less astro-jazzman than small-town postal clerk—but his attempt at reassurance backfired.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pleasantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pleasantly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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