Synonyms of purely

purely

adverb

ˈpyu̇r-lē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• innocently
• properly
• chastely
• morally
• virtuously
• righteously
• modestly
• decently
• decorously
• primly
• priggishly
• prudishly

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wickedly
• sinfully
• evilly
• immorally
• vulgarly
• obscenely
• indecently
• impurely
• lasciviously
• lewdly
• lustfully

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• solely
• only
• exclusively
• just
• simply
• primarily
• alone
• mainly
• mostly
• largely
• basically
• principally
• chiefly
• predominantly
• generally
• substantially
• by and large

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• also
• likewise
• besides
• additionally

3

as in only

nothing more than

her pleasantries were purely for show and masked her true feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• only
• just
• merely
• simply
• but

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of purely

The next wave of successful launches will likely have a stronger sense of identity, functionality and recognizability, rather than relying purely on logo or heritage. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026

Student growth The state issues a letter grade to each school on an A through F scale, and while 80% of the grade is based purely on test scores, about 20% of the calculation is based on students’ year-over-year improvement. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026

Any resemblance between the TikTok series and the real-life version of Chairman Tom Ricketts meeting his wife, Cece, in the bleachers is purely coincidental, a Cubs source said. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

As if determined to start the Bob Chesney era on a purely positive note, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk removed the athletic department’s most negative asset Monday, days before the Bruins football team opens its season at California. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026