as in correctly
in a manner suitable for the occasion or purpose
the scouts were properly dressed for a week of camping
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Recent Examples of properly
Susan says from the outset the oven didn't work properly.
—
Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
No more comforting narratives to tell for the sole benefit of billionaire franchise owners reluctant to properly invest in a rebuilding effort once every 20 years or so.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Over the foundation's history, Travis has been its primary funder, and expenses supporting charitable programs were categorized under a single line item rather than properly itemized.
—Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The suction power lives up to the typical standards of a Dyson vacuum, and its several modes are helpful to ensure individual floor types are cleaned properly.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for properly
Cheryl Fiandaca, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
No more comforting narratives to tell for the sole benefit of billionaire franchise owners reluctant to properly invest in a rebuilding effort once every 20 years or so.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Over the foundation's history, Travis has been its primary funder, and expenses supporting charitable programs were categorized under a single line item rather than properly itemized.
—Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
The suction power lives up to the typical standards of a Dyson vacuum, and its several modes are helpful to ensure individual floor types are cleaned properly.
—Terri Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for properly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for properly
Adverb
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With the pick, everyone but Thicke now has a correct guess to their name — Jeong correctly guessed David Ortiz was Googly Eyes in the premiere, McCarthy-Wahlberg nabbed the Croissants, and Ora called out her longtime pal, Haddish.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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According to some care labels, specific wool coats can be washed at home if done correctly with a gentle wool wash or detergent, low water temperatures, and gentle agitation.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
14 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Williams made an appropriately horny joke during an interview with Gayle King, while Storrie's interactions with The Bear star Ayo Edebiri made the rounds online.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
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But at what cost if talent and assets are not managed appropriately?—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Properly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/properly. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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