1
as in quietly
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in lightly
Related Words
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
Paula Kamps, a painter whose softly hued paintings showing flowers and blurring figures gained her recognition in Europe and the US, died at 36.
—
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
While editorial makeup of the 2010s framed blush as something to be used sparingly and softly, Edeme goes all the way in.
—Susan Akyeampong, Allure, 27 May 2026
Ahead of the three-day trip that is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 1, the portrait shows Sophie leaning against Edward as the couple smiles softly for the camera.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The half-hour compilation, curated by Lin, stitched together photos and home videos of the girls submitted by loved ones as music softly played in the background.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
Her eyebrows were arched and defined, with brown eyeshadow beaten softly into her eye and lashes feathered out.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Set on nearly two acres, the softly reflective metallic building by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron seems to dissolve into surrounding perennial gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, the landscape architect behind New York's High Line.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Place the hands on the floor in front of the feet, bending the knees softly if needed.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 15 May 2026
Eyes were softly defined with brown shadow worked into the lash roots, while lids were set in beige tones and slight shimmer using the Nude Dress palette.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 27 May 2026
While editorial makeup of the 2010s framed blush as something to be used sparingly and softly, Edeme goes all the way in.
—Susan Akyeampong, Allure, 27 May 2026
Ahead of the three-day trip that is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 1, the portrait shows Sophie leaning against Edward as the couple smiles softly for the camera.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
The half-hour compilation, curated by Lin, stitched together photos and home videos of the girls submitted by loved ones as music softly played in the background.
—Reeti Malhotra
may 23, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026
Her eyebrows were arched and defined, with brown eyeshadow beaten softly into her eye and lashes feathered out.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Set on nearly two acres, the softly reflective metallic building by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron seems to dissolve into surrounding perennial gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, the landscape architect behind New York's High Line.
—Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Place the hands on the floor in front of the feet, bending the knees softly if needed.
—Mallory Creveling, Health, 15 May 2026
Eyes were softly defined with brown shadow worked into the lash roots, while lids were set in beige tones and slight shimmer using the Nude Dress palette.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
The Nationals picked the 25-year-old up off the scrap heap after spring training and now Mead is quietly in the middle of a breakout year.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Just days earlier, another event quietly illustrated the same shift from trade toward deeper integration.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
The finish is long, with lingering notes of vanilla, lightly tannic oak, and spices.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
The $14 formula contains vitamin C to brighten the skin and glycolic acid to lightly exfoliate and tighten.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
To the person receiving it, the word can land cold, clipped, or faintly dismissive.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Encouraged out to a party one night by his gregarious best friend (Shanti Masud), David accepts a pill from a stranger and, almost immediately afterwards, notices a young woman (Seydoux) across the room who is fixing him with a faintly predatory stare.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
18 May 2026
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,
27 May 2026
-
Place cut-side down in a hot, dry pan and press gently.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Adverb
-
Judge lined it feebly into the glove of an outfielder.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
-
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
Adverb
-
Other images shared by Brittany on social media included her tenderly holding little Golden, Bronze enjoying an ice cream and Patrick taking to the water with his youngest daughter on a paddleboard.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
-
At the top of the frame is the father’s veiny hand, tenderly brushing rubble away from the infant’s forehead.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
