SOLELY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

solely

adverb

ˈsō(l)-lē

Definition of solely

as in only

for nothing other than I fight solely for my country, not for money!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in independently

without aid or support you undertook that project solely on your own, and you will finish it likewise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 solely What’s more, governments and companies around the world are increasingly looking to diversify away from buying advanced technology solely from the United States. — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 Investigators concluded the introduction email was created solely to leave behind a compliant-looking record. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Recent researchers have proposed revising the rule to focus solely on humidity and precipitation and to exclude temperature as a determining factor. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Sep. 2026 At the same time, no one should be publicly condemned based solely on an accusation. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solely

Recent Examples of Synonyms for solely

Adverb

Granted, Pollard needs only 1,083 yards to achieve a career high, but the Titans would like to get Tyjae Spears more involved and the overall quality of this offense remains a large question mark.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
These layers can be conductors, insulators, or semiconductor materials and may be only a few nanometers thick.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of only

Adverb

Erin Mandzik, senior director of corporate communications for FAT Brands, Round Table Pizza’s parent company, told The Fresno Bee that the restaurant was independently owned and operated.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2026
The idea relied on superradiance, a phenomenon in which many particles emit radiation collectively rather than independently.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of independently

Adverb

Vasseur did not wish to discuss the possible final 2026 championship outlook, saying his attention was purely on present performance and taking steps; focus on the process, not the outcome.

— Luke Smith, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Catering to the Volume, Not the Power User From a purely capitalistic standpoint, power users who demand high literacy, strict prompt adherence, and investigative rigor represent a tiny fraction of Google's user base.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of purely

Adverb

The signatories argue that a correct answer alone does not capture what makes mathematical research valuable.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2026
But because a film shoot is kind of boring, most of us abandoned the ladders after an hour, leaving my brother to watch the rest of the filming alone.

— Sarah Shanfield, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of alone

Adverb

François Arnaud is joining Mike Birbiglia‘s upcoming focus features comedy Old Friends New Friends, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
For the past 860,000 years, its shell has coiled almost exclusively to the right.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of exclusively

Adverb

The analysis gives every product listing equal weight and does not separately assess whether polyester is virgin or recycled—limitations that complicate comparisons among fast-fashion, activewear and outdoor brands.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
The three platforms have separately appealed a sub-quota requiring them to devote 20% of their mandatory audiovisual investment to genres including animation, documentaries and recorded or recreated live performance.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of separately

Adverb

Missouri's confusion comes amid a spate of redistricting across the country normally seen just once a decade after each census.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
Nearly 70% of power generated in India was still coal-based while just over 15% came from solar and wind projects in the financial year ending March 2026.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of just

Adverb

Fix compared it to the Apollo mission, in which NASA corralled 20,000 companies and universities to make millions of parts to build a rocket none of them could have launched individually.

— Nicolás Rivero, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
But Pattinson’s is only one turn within a stellar cast who individually deliver some career-best screen work.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of individually

Browse Nearby Words

solecisms

solely

solemn

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Style

“Solely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/solely. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of solely

adverb

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