1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of softly
Eyes were softly defined with brown shadow worked into the lash roots, while lids were set in beige tones and slight shimmer using the Nude Dress palette.
—
Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
Sitting on a small log in the center of the forest, surrounded by softly waving trees and whistling birds, Bob Berkebile wrote a letter no one will ever read.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Serve with vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
The lightweight gel-serum feels silky, cooling, and simply delightful to apply, with a softly blurred finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026
Located on the outskirts of Lincoln, this softly lit, open-concept restaurant draws diners from two major metro areas.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026
The Spa is softly lit, cypress lined, curtain draped—truly a destination spa with thoughtful touches like aromatic neck pillows and custom tea blends.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
Sitting on a small log in the center of the forest, surrounded by softly waving trees and whistling birds, Bob Berkebile wrote a letter no one will ever read.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Serve with vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
The lightweight gel-serum feels silky, cooling, and simply delightful to apply, with a softly blurred finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026
Located on the outskirts of Lincoln, this softly lit, open-concept restaurant draws diners from two major metro areas.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026
The Spa is softly lit, cypress lined, curtain draped—truly a destination spa with thoughtful touches like aromatic neck pillows and custom tea blends.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
From remote barrier islands to hidden coastlines, here are the best spots Florida shellers quietly cherish.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Programs stall, reset, or quietly get cut.—
Dennis Woodside,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Adverb
-
Warmly, Emma Questions may be lightly edited for clarity, length, and style.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 May 2026
-
Sprinkle flour into reserved drippings; cook over medium, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and nutty in aroma, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Adverb
-
Encouraged out to a party one night by his gregarious best friend (Shanti Masud), David accepts a pill from a stranger and, almost immediately afterwards, notices a young woman (Seydoux) across the room who is fixing him with a faintly predatory stare.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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Only instead of the latest concoction, certain discerning attendees—the ones who have, pointedly, graduated from the Aperol spritz—are ordering a defiantly retro alternative, one that is muddy brown and faintly medicinal.—
Elena Clavarino,
Air Mail,
9 May 2026
Adverb
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
20 May 2026
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Along with green tea comes anti-inflammatory Japanese mugwort and coix seed to decrease inflammation, plus willow bark extract to gently exfoliate (thanks to salicin, a chemical similar to salicylic acid) and balance oil production.—
Sarah Felbin,
Allure,
20 May 2026
Adverb
-
Judge lined it feebly into the glove of an outfielder.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
Infantino, as Henry Bushnell writes, talked rather feebly about working together and, randomly, said an upcoming under-15 tournament for all member associations was something to encourage co-operation.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adverb
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At the top of the frame is the father’s veiny hand, tenderly brushing rubble away from the infant’s forehead.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
-
As Margo’s laughter turns into anxious tears, Shyanne tenderly cradles her in her lap, staying fully present for her daughter in her moment of need.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Adverb
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Small branches can be clipped quickly and almost noiselessly and fashioned into an effective blind in only a few minutes.—
Bruce Brady,
Outdoor Life,
8 Apr. 2026
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On a brilliant midsummer morning, my wife and I stepped into a black Zodiac raft and drifted noiselessly among icebergs five stories high, their emerald and aquamarine walls gleaming above sapphire waters.—
Pico Iyer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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