1
as in quietly
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2
as in lightly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of softly
Instead, the Lakers superstar pulled up straight over the top of Bryant’s outstretched arm, dropping a fadeaway jumper softly through the net.
—
Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Her signature copper red hair, styled by Halley Brisker, was worn softly tousled down her back.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
Its striking black marble counter, supported by Murano glass cones infused with gold dust, glows softly as the room fills with guests.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
The dog has black, white and ginger coloring, with pointed ears that flop softly at the tips, reinforcing the impression of a breed known for its compact size and boundless energy.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The ball drew beautifully, landing softly about 25 feet from the hole.
—Mike Dame, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Do quick, small jumps using mostly your ankles, landing each time softly with a tiny bend in the knees.
—Jim Diehl Cscs, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
Yainer Diaz softly grounded a first-pitch fastball, but toward an opening in the Angels’ shifted infield for a two-run single.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Slingbacks, with their thin straps and softly pointed toe, are proof of that.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
Her signature copper red hair, styled by Halley Brisker, was worn softly tousled down her back.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
Its striking black marble counter, supported by Murano glass cones infused with gold dust, glows softly as the room fills with guests.
—Vicki Power, TheWeek, 31 Mar. 2026
The dog has black, white and ginger coloring, with pointed ears that flop softly at the tips, reinforcing the impression of a breed known for its compact size and boundless energy.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The ball drew beautifully, landing softly about 25 feet from the hole.
—Mike Dame, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Do quick, small jumps using mostly your ankles, landing each time softly with a tiny bend in the knees.
—Jim Diehl Cscs, Outside, 29 Mar. 2026
Yainer Diaz softly grounded a first-pitch fastball, but toward an opening in the Angels’ shifted infield for a two-run single.
—Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 29 Mar. 2026
Slingbacks, with their thin straps and softly pointed toe, are proof of that.
—Alex Sales, Glamour, 29 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
The wheels glide smoothly and quietly, and the telescopic handle extends and retracts seamlessly—even when the case is fully packed.—
Charley Ward,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Snuggled up in her dad’s arms, 9-year-old Elena Mandujano quietly chanted along with the rest of the crowd as Athletic Club Boise made its home debut against the Spokane Velocity on Saturday at Expo Idaho.—
Rachel Roberts,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Sow large seeds in slightly indented rows and cover lightly with a thin layer of the mix.—
Tim Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Columbine needs regular watering in our part of the world and requires a partial sun to lightly shaded garden spot.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The cast’s sole survivor is Jessica Hecht, who pours miraculous warmth and complexity into her faintly insulting role as Colleen, the head teller, a morally upright spinster goosed by her flirtation with Sonny and the spotlight.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Thickened with a little potato and flavored with leeks, shallot, white wine, and the faintly anise-y herb tarragon, this sleeper hit of a soup is subtle, springy, and unexpectedly special.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Standing knee-deep in the lo‘i, covered in mud, gently pressing roots into the earth, anchored me in a new way.—
Wassan Al-Khudhairi,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Heathcliff’s racial ambiguity — so central to the novel’s violence and otherness — is feebly erased.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Yet the director, Vanessa Caswill, stages it all with a tenderly forlorn Middle American plausibility.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
11 Mar. 2026
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The making of such a film would look a lot like the funny, tenderly melancholic, and wonderful Candidates of Death.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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