softly

adverb

Definition of softlynext
1
as in quietly

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in lightly

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Dissimilar Words

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 softly His solo debut, Heavy Metal, landed softly in the December hinterlands of 2024, and with it a murmuration of these little fibs. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 The whole time, music plays softly from speakers, and red hibiscus juice flows from pitchers into tall glasses. — Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026 The Ritz Silk Varsity Jacket and Short are cut from silk, with a relaxed, softly draped silhouetted, rich brown colorblocking and subtle gold accents. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 Not that Bieber needs much assistance, with dewy skin and softly flushed cheeks becoming central to the Rhode universe. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2026 Jack is softly spoken and keen to deflect talk from his own heroics in the semi-final. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Oh, and the doors open and close softly at the touch of a button. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026 Sinatra and Dean Martin croon softly on the speakers (until the occasional Charli xcx track sneaks in). — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 From faux foliage on the ceiling to animal sounds playing softly in the bathroom stalls, the whole experience feels as if the Rainforest Café was rebranded for adults with deep pockets. — Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
  1. quietly
  2. lightly
  3. faintly
  4. gently
  5. feebly
  6. tenderly
  7. noiselessly
Adverb
  • Some dental floss manufacturers have been quietly moving away from the synthetic material PTFE, which helped their product slip smoothly between teeth.
    — Margaret Hetherman The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The result is one of the most quietly dominant competitive positions in modern industry.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of quietly
Adverb
  • The shari is balanced, lightly sweet and subtly salty with a savoriness that enhances whatever fish is draped over its surface.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Add mushrooms to skillet; cook over medium-high, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lightly
Adverb
  • For a generation of children only faintly aware of Led Zeppelin, but intimately aware of every second of Wayne’s World thanks to countless repeat viewings, this was extraordinarily confusing.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Mention a competing system and some responses turn faintly territorial.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of faintly
Adverb
  • On dry hair, use it to gently massage the scalp or detangle lengths to prevent pulling or breakage when the hair is at its most fragile (when wet).
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Wipe and gently buff your stainless steel fridge in the direction of the grain for a clean, polished finish.
    — Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of gently
Adverb
  • The prime minister has feebly tried to make his own reels in response, but that failed to stem the tide of public irreverence.
    — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Chief swam feebly across, joined the other two horses on the bank, and stood there shaking.
    — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
Definition of feebly
Adverb
  • Sofia Coppola spoke tenderly about her late mother and their family’s film legacy at a BFI London Film Festival session on Thursday afternoon.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Greene, who loves to blur the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction, uses this premise as a way to tenderly explore these people’s lives.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of tenderly
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
  • 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
Definition of noiselessly

Browse Nearby Words

softies
softly
softness
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Cite this Entry

“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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