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
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How to protect your router from hackers The good news is that a few simple router checks can reduce your risk and help keep hackers from quietly changing how your internet traffic moves.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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Little signs of humanity appeared in every direction, quietly defusing what could have become a disaster instigated by fear.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Adverb
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Broil, turning once halfway through cooking, until salmon just flakes (145°F) and peaches are lightly charred, 10 to 12 minutes.—
Emily Teel,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 June 2026
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Start at the top of the glass and lightly spray the vinegar and dish soap solution onto the glass.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Adverb
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These baked eggs are creamy, cheesy, faintly onion-y, fresh from parsley, and savory from bacon.—
Erin Merhar,
Southern Living,
27 Nov. 2025
-
Bulbous, faintly erotic objects languished on tables, hung from the ceiling, oozed off the walls.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
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
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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
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Heathcliff’s racial ambiguity — so central to the novel’s violence and otherness — is feebly erased.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Hoofing tenderly in my high-heeled shoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Dec. 2025
-
Jacobi in particular gets the chance to shine, with a poignant monologue in which his character talks tenderly about his deceased husband.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Nov. 2025
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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Thermoelectric materials flex and create pulses inside the slim modules, pushing air through a heat sink noiselessly, with no spinning parts or fan bearings that are prone to fail over time.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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