1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Recent Examples of softly
On set, Sir John used Make Up For Ever’s Artist Color Pencils to softly line and define eyes, before using individual lashes on the bottom for a doll-like effect.
—
Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
Go softly when dealing with others.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
And solitude is killing us softly.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
On the wrist, the rounded shape is softly comfortable with a small centre link in gold pivoting a soft leather strap, while a slider on the left side of the case opens up a new dimension of audible time-telling.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
In the snap, Culpo smiled softly for the camera while breastfeeding the infant.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
In a breeze, the solar lights sway softly, flickering like fireflies.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The real Ed and Lorraine had close ties to the Church, and they’ve been softly praised and heavily criticized for their controversial work with the occult.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
The golden past always has the sheen of nostalgia, captured in the wide aspect ratio and softly grainy footage of a Hollywood classic.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Karina Hoshikawa, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
Go softly when dealing with others.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
And solitude is killing us softly.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
On the wrist, the rounded shape is softly comfortable with a small centre link in gold pivoting a soft leather strap, while a slider on the left side of the case opens up a new dimension of audible time-telling.
—Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
In the snap, Culpo smiled softly for the camera while breastfeeding the infant.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
In a breeze, the solar lights sway softly, flickering like fireflies.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2025
The real Ed and Lorraine had close ties to the Church, and they’ve been softly praised and heavily criticized for their controversial work with the occult.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
The golden past always has the sheen of nostalgia, captured in the wide aspect ratio and softly grainy footage of a Hollywood classic.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
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Still, the Cornhusker State quietly offers stunning wildflower experiences throughout the seasons—and fall is one of the best times to see its prairies' most stunning displays.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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In recent months, the US Marine Corps quietly leased a 57,000-square-foot warehouse at the former Subic Bay Naval Supply Depot.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Twist the powertrain mode knob to Track, watch the digital dash retract itself to give you a cleaner view, then activate Launch mode via a console button, and prepare to have your sense of speed lightly warped.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
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His daughter did not get off so lightly.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The porch smells faintly of lime and ginger, and the house hums the way houses do when a good conversation has just ended.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The gallery smells faintly of cinnamon and polished wood.—
Caroline Rogers,
Southern Living,
31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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The Dream Chaser is designed to deliver cargo and eventually people to orbit, landing as gently as a commercial airliner.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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As with any career as long as his, there have been moments when perhaps his aesthetic wasn’t so aligned with where fashion was going, but mention that and Roversi will gently put it to one side.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The woman has since adopted the kitten—who turned out to be a boy—and shared sweet updates, including videos of him being tenderly bottle-fed.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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On the director’s cue, Mary Berry was tenderly extricated from her thermal gilet and the floor was purged of its few dozen researchers, home economists, sound recordists, camera operators, technicians, producers, and researchers.—
Ruby Tandoh,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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