Definition of purelynext
1
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed the devout girl vowed to live her life purely and in the service of God

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in solely
for nothing other than I fish purely for the fun of it—I don't care if I end up with no fish to fry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in only
nothing more than her pleasantries were purely for show and masked her true feelings

Synonyms & Similar 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 purely That project subsequently moved beyond the purely conceptual stage. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026 Thank the lord, this is a purely retro and analog experience that bops along quite deliciously. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026 The project is inspired by evolving industry realities, as luxury retail shifts from being purely transactional to a storytelling medium. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026 Instead, the matchup will be purely about whether Miami can take a step forward. — Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purely
Adverb
  • The scoring started innocently enough, Stockton marching the team 79 yards on an 11-play workmanlike touchdown drive.
    — Mike Griffith, AJC.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Widowed and nearing 60, Tony enjoys a quiet but contented routine, suddenly injected with anxiety when, during the school day, one of his young pupils innocently notes that his right hand looks frozen.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • The purpose is solely education, along with recruiting new watchmakers for an industry that is perpetually short on skilled craftspeople.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Employers can no longer rely solely on external hiring to meet evolving talent needs.
    — Priya Krishnan, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Access to the private and quietly serene Regent Club, set at the top of the resort with an adults-only pool embracing the full panorama, is only included for villa and penthouse guests but is available as an add-on to suite bookings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • For some reason--some great reason, that only the editors on the other side of the room understand--the reporters for at least the Democrat-Gazette's story (unlike some national outlets) decided to call Skip Rutherford.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
Adverb
  • Areas at high risk of flooding and where few people are insured tend to be poorer, experts said, as are areas where FEMA's flood maps don't properly convey the severity of the risk or mandate that enough people buy coverage.
    — MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Suitcases rolling away, too many bags and handles not fitting the hand properly all became part of the design brief for Series 3.
    — Kanika Talwar, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • For something romantic, the weekly Sweetheart Sunset Sail is an intimate catamaran trip exclusively for Bucuti guests, complete with a Champagne toast and open bar.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • For those who can’t make it to a stop on the tour, iHeartRadio has partnered with ABC to exclusively air its Jingle Ball holiday special in December.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 25 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Ralph Lauren has never just been about a shirt or a piece of clothing.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Yet in many cases, these treatments just aren’t backed by science.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.
    — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Adverb
  • Adding to the effortlessness of my stay, silicone bibs, cups, spoons, and plates plus high chairs were provided immediately at every restaurant, and the diverse kids menu doesn’t consist of simply junk food and French fries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
  • As recent writing on dance and cognition suggests, choreography is not simply a map of moving coordinates.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purely. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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