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 There are not many places in the Caribbean that speak this softly and still land this hard. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 Place the hands on the floor in front of the feet, bending the knees softly if needed. — Mallory Creveling, Health, 9 July 2026 Silent neutron stars at the center of supernova blast sites may actually be whispering softly, following the detection of faint radio emissions coming from one such object for the first time. — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 6 July 2026 Royce held her sibling for the first time, putting a hand softly on her head. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026 Ride the waves—or take a delicious nap while listening to them crash softly in the distance. — Holly Lebowitz Rossi, Parents, 2 July 2026 Your Chinese colleague speaks softly in a meeting; is that cultural deference or introversion? — Andy Molinsky, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Under the spotlight, her sentimental vocals land softly with a crowd that’s happy to see her. — Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 Toddlers squealed and played, and an older woman cried softly. — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
  1. quietly
  2. lightly
  3. faintly
  4. gently
  5. feebly
  6. tenderly
  7. noiselessly
Adverb
  • Philly fans, who loudly booed everyone but Schwarber and Bryce Harper throughout the night, quietly headed toward the exits when Walker's winning shot soared over the left field wall.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • And soon, the affluent trafficker of exotic animals identifies Irene as a suffering woman who has quietly become a dangerous predator herself.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 July 2026
Definition of quietly
Adverb
  • Broil until the cheese and tomatoes are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Peacock’s aim appears to be translating this pleasant, lightly anesthetizing experience to the screen, with a bunch of name-brand stars plugged in to draw viewers.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
Definition of lightly
Adverb
  • Transamerica Pyramid looks almost close enough to touch; Coit Tower glows faintly in the distance.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026
  • Noctilucent clouds usually appear low in the sky as pale blue, silver or sometimes faintly gold ripples and filaments.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of faintly
Adverb
  • Minus the dull thud of the boats gently colliding with the wooden posts they’re tied to, the normally busy thoroughfare is quiet.
    — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 July 2026
  • Interest—from both visitors and islanders—is gently shifting away from polishing playboy yachts or appeasing the decadent whims of retirees, to something, well, more real.
    — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 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
  • In that touching moment, Rob-Will, the son of formidable family ranch owner Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), hugs his daughter tenderly.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • This Franco-Swiss film from director Claude Barras deploys tenderly expressive puppets to tell the story of a boy placed in an orphanage after inadvertently killing his alcoholic mother.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on softly

Nglish: Translation of softly for Spanish Speakers

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