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
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
This one is formulated specifically for the under-eye area to softly highlight and brighten your look while keeping creasing at bay.
—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
27 June 2026
Create softly, and let rest protect the work.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
That pair had a softly rounded front and sculpted kitten heel, while Saturday’s shoes were cleaner and slightly more elongated.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
20 June 2026
This approach feels especially at home in transitional, Parisian-inspired, or softly modern spaces.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
20 June 2026
Speak softly, and follow up to cement mutual trust soon.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
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
This one is formulated specifically for the under-eye area to softly highlight and brighten your look while keeping creasing at bay.
—
Essence Wiley,
InStyle,
27 June 2026
Create softly, and let rest protect the work.
—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
26 June 2026
That pair had a softly rounded front and sculpted kitten heel, while Saturday’s shoes were cleaner and slightly more elongated.
—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
20 June 2026
This approach feels especially at home in transitional, Parisian-inspired, or softly modern spaces.
—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
20 June 2026
Speak softly, and follow up to cement mutual trust soon.
—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
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Vietnam Vietnam has quietly become one of the strongest cyber defense states in the world.
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That dynamic has quietly transformed the nation’s largest bank into one of corporate America’s most productive CEO pipelines.
Adverb
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Once the insides are lightly golden, flip the halves cut-side up for the last two minutes, until the interior is golden and slightly crispy.
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The interview has been lightly condensed and edited for clarity.
Adverb
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The Diwali name and festive percussion gave the song a faintly South Asian vibe.
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The Philly duo’s tender, faintly medieval-sounding folk song has its hands clasped and its heart on its sleeve.
Adverb
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Roll it gently between your thumb and fingers.
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Instead, the area should be cleared of sharp or dangerous objects; they should be turned gently on their side, and their airway should be kept clear.
Adverb
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Chief swam feebly across, joined the other two horses on the bank, and stood there shaking.
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Judge lined it feebly into the glove of an outfielder.
Adverb
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In that touching moment, Rob-Will, the son of formidable family ranch owner Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), hugs his daughter tenderly.
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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.
Adverb
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Small branches can be clipped quickly and almost noiselessly and fashioned into an effective blind in only a few minutes.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Softly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/softly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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