1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Recent Examples of softly
This is accomplished with a more casual ankle-length height, a softly rounded toe and a far more discerning metal buckle detail.
—
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Be sure to use low heat to softly coax your hair into shape without creating excess frizz or flyaways, says Yepez.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
The sleek, stylish, and softly cushioned Sonos Ace Headphones in black are now discounted by $97, and that's music to our ears.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Curled on the bottom bunk, his knees are drawn to his chest, wisps of hair drifting softly around his skull.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Edman fouled off three two-strike offerings from Sánchez before tapping a ball softly in front of the plate to end the threat.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Founded by actress Tia Mowry, the brand makes products that move your natural hair journey along — swiftly, softly, and cleanly.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
In all his videos, an affectionate and softly romantic vision of the city came through.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The first photo is of the couple softly smiling side by side, both wearing sunglasses, while enjoying a boat day together.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
Be sure to use low heat to softly coax your hair into shape without creating excess frizz or flyaways, says Yepez.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
The sleek, stylish, and softly cushioned Sonos Ace Headphones in black are now discounted by $97, and that's music to our ears.
—PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
Curled on the bottom bunk, his knees are drawn to his chest, wisps of hair drifting softly around his skull.
—Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025
Edman fouled off three two-strike offerings from Sánchez before tapping a ball softly in front of the plate to end the threat.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Founded by actress Tia Mowry, the brand makes products that move your natural hair journey along — swiftly, softly, and cleanly.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
In all his videos, an affectionate and softly romantic vision of the city came through.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The first photo is of the couple softly smiling side by side, both wearing sunglasses, while enjoying a boat day together.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
It is accompanied by a quietly trenchant voice over, mostly written by scribes Rafael Cobos and Fran Araújo, explaining intricacies of characters and historical through-lines.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Each scent is layered, refined, and quietly transportive.—
Michael Stefanov,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
They should be lightly browned and smell nutty.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
-
In Liliana’s room, a neon lightning bolt lightly illuminates her bed.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
If the key is taken to be some primordial tradition, echoing faintly across world literature after tens of millennia, any effort to pin it down looks hopeless.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The notion that the nine-time Women’s Super League champions need more hunger in the one competition that has historically evaded them may sound faintly ridiculous but this was a night that left plenty to be desired.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
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,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Separate the plant by gently pulling the roots apart with your hands, cutting them apart with a clean sharp knife, or placing two garden forks back to back in the clump’s center to pull it apart.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
One man aboard the boat knew how to navigate the mangroves and sandbars of the keys, and with the late summer sun beating down on the rafters, the boat pushed out feebly into the open ocean.—
Miriam Pensack,
The Dial,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
With sensitive skin types in mind, the creamy, fragrance-free formula boasts a simple ingredient list, using glycerin and niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and nonstripping micelles— molecules in micellar water—to tenderly wash away dirt and oil.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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