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

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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 slowly At the center of it all is an electrifying performance by Robert Pattinson as Hansen, a man who aspires to powerful anchor machismo but is slowly falling apart. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026 Nevertheless, the Red Sox are slowly getting some key players back. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 The Deslers slowly expanded The Library, eventually stretching its reach down nearly the entire block. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 Deep in a star’s core, nuclear fusion pumps out heat and light, which slowly filters up to the star’s surface. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slowly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slowly

Adverb

Rather than spurring action because more teams are in the race, clubs have acted more cautiously.

— Zack Meisel, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
The fox cautiously walked a few feet past us on its journey for bugs and other snacks.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cautiously

Adverb

More than 1,000 pounds of pork shoulders are seasoned to be slow cooked and all the set up is well underway.

— Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Helping in that search is the environment of the moon itself, which — compared with Earth, at least — has slow-moving geology.

— Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 15 Sep. 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

Reddington also pushed back on one of the prosecution's central arguments that Lindsay Clancy carefully planned the killings by sending Patrick Clancy out on errands.

— Lorraine Taylor , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Officials tread carefully in regulating car caravans, which can overwhelm traffic and bring streets to a standstill.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of carefully

Browse Nearby Words

slowish

slowly

slowness

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“Slowly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/slowly. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slowly

adverb

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