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

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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 Tropical Storm Fay formed in the mid-Atlantic Sunday morning and is moving slowly southward. — Dylan Moriarty, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026 Fay is weakening and moving very slowly toward the south-southeast near 2 mph. — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026 But De Santis is also wonderful at the end of the day, when the sun sets and Milan slowly begins to wind down. — Emma Bocchi, Vogue, 21 Sep. 2026 Over time, geologic features slowly change due to exposure to the elements — even on the moon, where time seems to stand still. — Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slowly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for slowly

Adverb

Californians are weighing a ballot measure that could reshape how local taxes pass, while two major insurers are cautiously reentering the state’s home insurance market.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
This usually begins with the wasp cautiously circling its target while slowly getting closer.

— Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of cautiously

Adverb

Screenings in healthy adults are also more likely to catch indolent disease, meaning slow-growing or static conditions, than aggressive ones.

— Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Sep. 2026
The slow-moving enemies typically follow predetermined paths, which means most encounters are a game of patience.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of slow

Adverb

The fish looks straight at me, flopping sluggishly from side to side.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of sluggishly

Adverb

The suites are smaller but just as carefully done, good for couples who'd rather spend the room budget on a spa treatment or an extra round of golf.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez created the film’s promotional website in 1998, filling it with fake police reports, evidence photographs and an elaborate mythology while carefully avoiding any suggestion that their story was fictional.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of slowly

adverb

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