MILDLY Synonyms: 96 Similar and Opposite Words

mildly

adverb

Definition of mildly

as in lightly

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in passively

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 mildly But these are just basic text prompts and mildly demanding tasks. — Brian Westover, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 There’s some mildly threatening gunplay from a man at the end of his tether and yet, for me, this particular digression-of-the-week started to lag. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026 Most people wake mildly dehydrated after six to eight hours of sleep, dietitians and endocrinologists say. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026 Hydrate before you caffeinate Six to eight hours of sleep leaves most people mildly dehydrated by morning, thanks to breathing and sweat. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 The trousers were coordinated with a bolero-style jacket, with long-sleeves and a mildly oversize fit and sharp angular lapels. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 The first incorporates a heady blend of cinnamon, clove, garlic, various chile powders and guajillo paste for a fruity, earthy flavor that’s mildly smoky. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The movie played well at a packed Alice Tully Hall, and afterparty revelers were mildly upbeat. — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2026 The trade-off is staying at least mildly engaged with their 401(k). — Stuart Robertson, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mildly

Adverb

Fill the muffin cups about three-quarters full and sprinkle lightly with brown sugar.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Use a kitchen torch to lightly brown the frosting, if desired.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of lightly

Adverb

Children choose their own data, probing the world with little experiments rather than passively absorbing it and learn continuously.

— Charles Yeomans, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The system works passively, with no pumps, actuators, or other moving parts to maintain.

— Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of passively

Adverb

Bob Iger took a seat on a balcony outside the Perelman Performing Arts Center, in lower Manhattan, the other day and ran a hand gently over his right knee.

— Ben McGrath, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Senses are dialled up, receptive, and tender—move gently and lead with care.

— Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of gently

Adverb

Instead of going down meekly to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Milwaukee Brewers swept the National League Championship Series and are headed to the World Series.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The Brewers, of course, sealed the deal with two runs on three singles in the bottom of the eighth, and the Dodgers went meekly 1-2-3 in the ninth.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of meekly

Adverb

However, critics have complained to the county board of supervisors that the sheriff was treated more leniently than the average citizen would have been.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
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

Definition of leniently

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

Definition of tamely

Adverb

Minor cringe is meta-cringe, standing apart from the affect while coolly investigating it.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Machado nearly tied Game 4 with a 406-foot drive off reliever Abner Uribe, but Mitchell coolly tracked it down and reached just above the short wall in right-center to keep it in the yard.

— Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of coolly

Adverb

But Martinez calmly tucked the rebound into the lower left corner.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of calmly

Browse Nearby Words

mildewy

mildly

mildness

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mildly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mildly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mildly

adverb

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