SLOWLY Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

slowly

adverb

ˈslō-lē

Definition of slowly

as in cautiously

at a pace that is less than usual, desirable, or expected walked slowly toward the ringing phone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 slowly McLoughlin was buried up to his elbows, slowly being crushed under the weight, and recalled hearing Pezzulo take his last breath—but not before firing a single shot into the air to alert any rescuers to their location. — ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026 Months later, the project is moving slowly, with some residents now referring to the company as Microslop. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 The takeaway is not necessarily that EV owners should drive slowly. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026 The 6-2, 242-pound veteran back tore his Achilles last season with the Chargers and just signed with the Giants Tuesday, so he was supposed to ramp up slowly. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slowly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slowly

Adverb

Democrats feel cautiously optimistic about their chances of taking the House and Jeffries would be in line to be the next speaker.

— Rachel Scott, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging progress but awaiting sustained profit and traffic growth.

— Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of cautiously

Adverb

Both sides have stepped up their air campaigns as the front lines remain largely static, locked in a slow-moving, deadly stalemate.

— Kosta Gak, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
This means that in today’s slow-hiring labor market, simply submitting more applications may not be enough for job seekers.

— Courtney Connley-Hampton, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of slow

Adverb

Hayes’ 3-pointer from the midcourt logo to end the first quarter keyed the Valkyries’ 24-9 second-quarter surge and enlivened a Golden State group that had started the game sluggishly.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Verstappen qualified second but stalled at the start, falling to last place as his car moved sluggishly.

— Sahil Kapur, NBC news, 7 June 2026

Definition of sluggishly

Adverb

When concerns were raised about this contract, the Town took them seriously, reviewed the matter carefully, and acted promptly based on the findings.

— Tammy Mutasa, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
But ranchers argue that livestock are carefully managed, while the movements of wild horses are less controlled.

— Stina Sieg, NPR, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of carefully

Browse Nearby Words

slowish

slowly

slowness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Slowly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slowly. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of slowly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

tilde

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes