PURELY Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

purely

adverb

ˈpyu̇r-lē

Definition of purely

as in innocently

with purity of thought and deed the devout girl vowed to live her life purely and in the service of God

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 It was used purely for photography, and no actors set foot here. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Since graphic communication is almost always faster, cheaper, and more immediately legible than purely architectural solutions, signage takes command. — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026 If Coulter’s framing takes hold with home gardeners, native, nectar-heavy species such as milkweed, asters, coneflowers and butterfly bushes may show up in beds that used to be purely ornamental. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026 While Lakshmana’s actions are presented as ways of protecting Sita, the mockery and teasing make the disfigurement hard to be seen as purely defensive and protective. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purely

Adverb

Scottie’s pursuit of Madeleine, first as a quarry, begins innocently enough.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
His ideas align with Hinton’s, and by 2013 the two of them—along with a third partner, Fedor Fedotov’s Alex Krizhevsky—find themselves at Google, innocently pursuing their research.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocently

Adverb

Those reactions suggest most Republicans hold Trump solely or partly responsible for their party’s midterm losses, a perception that could undermine his influence in the GOP going forward.

— Scott Clement, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2026
Rather than relying solely on movement around the pool, the navigation system is intended to help the cleaner cover surfaces more methodically, reducing the amount of manual intervention required.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of solely

Adverb

Utilizing their seventh different starting lineup through the team’s first 11 games of the season, the Magic only had 10 players available against the Jazz in the second game of a back-to-back on Wednesday night.

— Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026
Over time, Trumpian communication failed to exploit a vulnerable group of people who are repeatedly exposed only to information, opinions, and perspectives that validate their existing beliefs.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of only

Adverb

They were taken to a hospital where the child, a two-year-old girl who was properly restrained in the vehicle, died of her injuries.

— Senior Editor, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
To address these gaps, Texas 2036 is proposing one entity take the responsibility for ensuring Texas’ childcare system is properly serving families and children.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of properly

Adverb

The bath products are from one of my favorite local producers, Harnn, who created a scent exclusively for Kromo.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
The Cybertruck is exclusively produced at the company's plant in Texas alongside the Tesla Model Y and two-seat Cybercab, which Musk has touted as a crucial product for the automaker moving forward.

— Michael Wayland,Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of exclusively

Adverb

April 18 at the apartment complex in the 4600 block of Ashdale Court, just north of Myrtle Avenue.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 11 Nov. 2026
The Hope spent much of its time ferrying sailors and the wounded from other ships or ports to military hospitals, and like the Comfort, it too was attacked multiple times, though each attack failed, usually just missing the ship.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

The solution is a lot of morphine and a lot of rest, both of which Cathy undertakes with Adam constantly (and chastely) by her side.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of chastely

Browse Nearby Words

purees

purely

pureness

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“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purely. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of purely

adverb

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