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

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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 For decades, biologists thought that early tetrapods, ancient vertebrates that started conquering the land over 300 million years ago, developed like modern amphibians—beginning their lives as purely aquatic tadpoles and then metamorphosing into terrestrial adults. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 On a purely logistical level, the practice of storing wine in a subterranean chamber is useful for maintaining cool, consistent temperatures that are conducive to aging wine. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 June 2026 The purely material is a distraction, a red herring. Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 This is purely a cosmetic change and will have no impact on the value of our investment. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for purely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purely
Adverb
  • Their amalgamation with the other color produces a degradation to which no lover of his country, no lover of excellence in the human character can innocently consent.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
  • It was innocently posted by motorsports reporter Cole Cusumano, who was there covering the race.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Adverb
  • On the other hand, a large yard filled solely with small plants can look indistinct unless a few larger plants are added as anchors.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2026
  • This ruling compels companies to confront systemic biases embedded in their hiring data, rather than solely blaming technology.
    Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Adverb
  • Panama coach Thomas Christiansen lamented a new World Cup rule that has left his team mathematically eliminated before their final Group L game, with today's clash against England offering only a chance to claw back some pride.
    NBC News, NBC news, 28 June 2026
  • Olympic gold medalist Arisa Trew secured her second winning result of the weekend with a switch McTwist — a 540-degree twist taking off from her opposite side while grabbing the middle of the board — during women’s vert best trick, which featured a field of athletes averaging only 16 1/2 years old.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 June 2026
Adverb
  • The chronic disease, which impairs the body’s ability to properly regulate blood sugar, contributed to 94,445 deaths that year.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • Consoles, controllers, accessories, weird VR gloves that never worked properly, but mostly the games themselves.
    David Pierce, The Verge, 2 July 2026
Adverb
  • In short, substrate independence is the notion that mind and consciousness need not be limited exclusively to biological brains.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • America's Next Top Model cycle 15 and returning all-star contestant Kayla Ferrel Onder speaks to EW exclusively about her experience on the show.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026
Adverb
  • Well, Ariana seems to remember, whereas Hudson is determined to just undo the breakup and pretend like none of it ever happened.
    Tom Smyth, Vulture, 2 July 2026
  • Now that the news is out, ENHYPEN is doing more than just showing up for a panel.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 2 July 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
  • Those challenges remind us that what some once viewed as threatening, others saw simply as a happy family that did not look like most others.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • Rubin suggests parents emphasize the idea that having or doing everything is simply not possible, even for adults.
    Parents, Parents, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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