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
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
Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
Sitting on a small log in the center of the forest, surrounded by softly waving trees and whistling birds, Bob Berkebile wrote a letter no one will ever read.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Serve with vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
The lightweight gel-serum feels silky, cooling, and simply delightful to apply, with a softly blurred finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026
Located on the outskirts of Lincoln, this softly lit, open-concept restaurant draws diners from two major metro areas.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026
The Spa is softly lit, cypress lined, curtain draped—truly a destination spa with thoughtful touches like aromatic neck pillows and custom tea blends.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
Amid the early-spring lightness of the filmmaking, Fukada values softly plainspoken earnestness of emotion, as his repressed, recessive characters learn to listen to their own impulses in the general stillness that surrounds them.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 May 2026
Sitting on a small log in the center of the forest, surrounded by softly waving trees and whistling birds, Bob Berkebile wrote a letter no one will ever read.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 12 May 2026
Serve with vanilla ice cream or softly whipped cream.
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2026
The lightweight gel-serum feels silky, cooling, and simply delightful to apply, with a softly blurred finish that helps minimize the appearance of pores.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 8 May 2026
Located on the outskirts of Lincoln, this softly lit, open-concept restaurant draws diners from two major metro areas.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Midwest Living, 8 May 2026
The Spa is softly lit, cypress lined, curtain draped—truly a destination spa with thoughtful touches like aromatic neck pillows and custom tea blends.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
At the same time, faint light reflected from Earth softly illuminates the Moon, revealing mountains and craters in a dim twilight.
—Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for softly
Adverb
-
From remote barrier islands to hidden coastlines, here are the best spots Florida shellers quietly cherish.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
-
Programs stall, reset, or quietly get cut.—
Dennis Woodside,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
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
-
Only instead of the latest concoction, certain discerning attendees—the ones who have, pointedly, graduated from the Aperol spritz—are ordering a defiantly retro alternative, one that is muddy brown and faintly medicinal.—
Elena Clavarino,
Air Mail,
9 May 2026
-
Above the striping comes mesh in the same color, beneath which pink eye stay loops can be faintly made out before coming to the surface.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
7 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
-
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
-
Nguyen tenderly captures the lightness, freedom and exhilaration of being in water and reigning over the waves, rules of gravity be damned.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
My hero tenderly wrapped his snow-white daughter in a cravat; my heroine woke with a stab of fear, wondering where her stomach had gone.—
Eloisa James,
PEOPLE,
12 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 21 May. 2026.
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