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
  • With her own progress on hold, the family has quietly set their hopes on her younger sister who will take her 12th grade exams in mid-2027.
    — Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Once a corduroy suit has been declared practical, quietly subversive, and fictitiously endorsed by a punk legend, restraint doesn’t come easily.
    — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of quietly
Adverb
  • Roast the tomatillo, onion and garlic for 20 minutes or until soft and lightly caramelized.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Cook, stirring occasionally but not breaking meat apart, until beef is lightly browned but not crisp, 6–8 minutes.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lightly
Adverb
  • Mention a competing system and some responses turn faintly territorial.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The campaign plays more than a bit faintly here in Harris County, home to the biggest Black population of any county in the United States.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of faintly
Adverb
  • This fall, Lady Gaga has gently set aside pop superstardom for the busy life of a new mom; the singer and her fiancé, Michael Polansky, welcomed a child together—a daughter named Rose Bean Polansky—in September.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The play’s tension, gently but poignantly unspooled, develops from the fact that while Ryan has pursued a career onstage, Charlie never did.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of gently
Adverb
  • Chief swam feebly across, joined the other two horses on the bank, and stood there shaking.
    — Dolores Brown, Outdoor Life, 17 June 2026
  • Judge lined it feebly into the glove of an outfielder.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
Definition of feebly
Adverb
  • 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
  • Léo’s tenderly nostalgic reminiscences of past love affairs are slapped down by Emma, who brusquely dismisses his pleasant recollections as mere male projection.
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 11 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 14 Oct. 2026.

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