1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Recent Examples of softly
But Brunson helped bring the Knicks back with 36 points and Anunoby finished with 33, swooping in as Brunson’s shot bounced softly off the front of the rim and stretching high with his right hand to tap it in.
—
Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
And the Striped Malted Pound Cake was striking, with whorls of malted vanilla and chocolate cake and a softly dissolving crumb.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026
The drama continued in her makeup, with makeup artist Yeika Olivia fully lining her eyes in black and extending it softly both inward and outward.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 8 June 2026
Suddenly surrounded by nothing but space, Caligiuri let the ball take one small hop before striking a left-footed volley from about 28 yards that arced softly between the right post and the outstretched arms of diving goalkeeper Michael Maurice.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Speak softly, yet stand by your practical boundary.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Beau Busch is softly spoken, but steely in discussing matters of importance.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Then, take your forefinger and softly tap the sushi a couple of times on top.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Inside, low-hanging orb lamps glow softly, illuminating the startling array.
—Olivia Potts, Longreads, 28 May 2026
Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
And the Striped Malted Pound Cake was striking, with whorls of malted vanilla and chocolate cake and a softly dissolving crumb.
—The Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026
The drama continued in her makeup, with makeup artist Yeika Olivia fully lining her eyes in black and extending it softly both inward and outward.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 8 June 2026
Suddenly surrounded by nothing but space, Caligiuri let the ball take one small hop before striking a left-footed volley from about 28 yards that arced softly between the right post and the outstretched arms of diving goalkeeper Michael Maurice.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026
Speak softly, yet stand by your practical boundary.
—Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Beau Busch is softly spoken, but steely in discussing matters of importance.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Then, take your forefinger and softly tap the sushi a couple of times on top.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Inside, low-hanging orb lamps glow softly, illuminating the startling array.
—Olivia Potts, Longreads, 28 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
Often overshadowed by romantic destinations like Napa Valley, Savannah, and Charleston, Key West, Florida has quietly earned a spot as one of the world’s top cities for romance.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2026
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For women who have spent years being told that their symptoms are normal, vague, hormonal, or simply part of getting older, the experience feels quietly radical—and, for those seeking answers, perhaps worth the investment.—
Rachel Ingram,
Robb Report,
7 June 2026
Adverb
-
Keep the soil lightly moist and your hydrangea should grow new foliage.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 June 2026
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The metal is hovering near its 200-day moving average while simultaneously testing the 50% Fibonacci retracement of its prior advance, a confluence that technical traders don't take lightly.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Adverb
-
Like all of the film’s most fist-pumping setpieces, of which there are several, the getaway brawl is a fevered array of different fighting styles that smash into each other like concrete blocks to create something faintly new.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
12 June 2026
-
One man is menacing, the other faintly absurd, but Rhys embraces the challenges of each role with aplomb — in particular, his physical comedy in the latter has gotten several big laughs out of me.—
Matt Brennan
Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adverb
-
On occasion, artists represent dogs gently breaking out of the comforting premises of good order.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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Producers like Shungu, QThree, Mike Shabb, and Elsesser himself let their legato phrases repeat ad infinitum, gently bobbing like a dinghy in agitated waters.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
10 June 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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Other images shared by Brittany on social media included her tenderly holding little Golden, Bronze enjoying an ice cream and Patrick taking to the water with his youngest daughter on a paddleboard.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
-
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
Adverb
-
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 14 Jun. 2026.
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