1
as in lightly
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2
as in passively
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Recent Examples of mildly
In any other historical period, proposing such a career trajectory would’ve seemed mildly insane — like if Peter Buck had followed up Fables of the Reconstruction by producing Whitney Houston instead of the Feelies.
—
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
In August 2024, Lebron, a mildly successful beauty creator on TikTok who had to work shifts at her local grocery store to pay her bills, uploaded a fateful video.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Watching a small team spin up something functionally comparable in less than a week was, to put it mildly, clarifying.
—Zach Lloyd, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell following the release while Treasury yields were mildly positive.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Results are still being awaited on the passenger who had tested mildly positive before arriving in Nebraska.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 May 2026
To say there is a crowded field in the races for Newark mayor and City Council is putting it mildly.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 12 May 2026
To put it mildly, Bain didn’t perform like a rookie.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Kreider, along with Beckett Sennecke, made the game mildly interesting in the third period with goals to chip away at what was a 5-0 deficit, after which Quenneville pulled goalie Ville Husso with 4½ minutes left to try to pull closer.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
In August 2024, Lebron, a mildly successful beauty creator on TikTok who had to work shifts at her local grocery store to pay her bills, uploaded a fateful video.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
Watching a small team spin up something functionally comparable in less than a week was, to put it mildly, clarifying.
—Zach Lloyd, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell following the release while Treasury yields were mildly positive.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Results are still being awaited on the passenger who had tested mildly positive before arriving in Nebraska.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 May 2026
To say there is a crowded field in the races for Newark mayor and City Council is putting it mildly.
—Jeff Capellini, CBS News, 12 May 2026
To put it mildly, Bain didn’t perform like a rookie.
—Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Kreider, along with Beckett Sennecke, made the game mildly interesting in the third period with goals to chip away at what was a 5-0 deficit, after which Quenneville pulled goalie Ville Husso with 4½ minutes left to try to pull closer.
—Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mildly
Adverb
-
Warmly, Emma Questions may be lightly edited for clarity, length, and style.—
Emma Laperruque,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
18 May 2026
-
Sprinkle flour into reserved drippings; cook over medium, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and nutty in aroma, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Adverb
-
Published in the journal Innovation in Aging, the report suggested that those engaging passively with culture, by attending a performance or visiting a gallery, and those participating in the arts—for example, by painting, singing, or sculpting—benefited equally.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
13 May 2026
-
Because what could be more depressing than just passively watching the world burn and melt and crumble?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Adverb
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But when gently poached in miso broth, the end result is tender and moist.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 May 2026
-
Some films will move us gently.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Adverb
-
Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.—
Richard Selcer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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The document also reopened the controversy around Jannik Sinner’s doping ban, claiming that he was treated leniently by the ITIA.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Once the players returned to the field, Diaz inexplicably tried a Panenka-style chip and his weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Dominik Szoboszlai had just squandered a golden chance by firing tamely into the arms of Emiliano Martinez after winning the ball back high up the field when the Kop parked their frustration and vocally declared their unwavering faith in the Dutchman.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
James handled the disappointment by stepping up and coolly taking charge of the Lakers' offense again.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 May 2026
-
Both singers seemed so coolly detached yet their words and melodies were utterly compelling and evoked so much longing.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
Adverb
-
One of the giants of French cinema sitting calmly beneath a bird that has mistaken him for part of the furniture.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
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So Higgo, unaware of the consequences of the decision before him, just calmly tossed another ball on the practice green and hit one more putt.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mildly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mildly. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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