solely

adverb

sole·​ly ˈsō(l)-lē How to pronounce solely (audio)
Synonyms of solely
1
: to the exclusion of all else
done solely for money
2
: without another : singly
went solely on her way

Synonyms of solely

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Examples of solely in a Sentence

His rank was based solely on merit. You will be held solely responsible for any damage. She did not write solely for money.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When comparing lenders, Miranda advises not to focus solely on the advertised interest rate. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Davis argued that Slotkin described targeting junior personnel and young professionals to discourage them from serving, rather than solely to pursue justice for alleged misconduct. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026 These measurements will help establish how the aircraft might perform in real logistics operations, rather than relying solely on design projections. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026 Growing up in Wyoming’s rugged realities left no illusion that humans are solely in control. — Amelia Rose Barlow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solely

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of solely was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

soleless
solely
solemn
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Cite this Entry

“Solely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solely. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

solely

adverb
sole·​ly ˈsō(l)-lē How to pronounce solely (audio)
1
: without another : singly, alone
2
: only entry 2 sense 1a
done solely for money
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