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 lightly This decision was not made lightly. Susan M. Doyle, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025 Saute until the shrimp are lightly pink and almost cooked. Kathleen Purvis, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2025 Avoid the urge to prune lightly, trimming just a few inches of growth off a large Knock Out rose. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2025 Return carrots to sauce mixture and reduce heat to medium; cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until carrots are tender and lightly glazed in sauce, about 8 minutes. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lightly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lightly
Adverb
  • Mexico's Operación Frontera Norte -- Operation Northern Border -- quickly produced some surprises, especially for Americans accustomed to easily crossing the border for holidays or shopping trips.
    Mary Beth Sheridan The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Fried twice, liberally dusted with salt and pepper and served with a ramekin of garlic aioli, a plate of these golden-brown beauties can easily sate three or four people as a starter.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • His fiercest opponent refused to go down easy, sending he and the golf world on an epic, unprecedented rollercoaster ride.
    Justin Ray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Death, Poison and Blackmail: Every Wild Moment from the The White Lotus Season 3 Finale His son on the other hand, did not get off so easy after making his protein shake the following morning in the contaminated blender.
    Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • To recover them, Mayday needs the help of someone who can move freely among the Gilead patrols.
    Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The attacks left one hospitalized, dozens with injuries and one man missing two hats Residents of a small town in the United Kingdom can walk around freely now that a hawk that had been terrorizing them for around a month was finally captured last week.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adverb
  • The device, inspired by the way biological neurons process information, has the ability to detect light and convert it into electrical signals within a single nanoscale component, operating quickly, efficiently, and with minimal energy.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
  • If a customer’s issue is resolved instantly and efficiently, satisfaction can soar.
    Liam Dunne, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • Assessing the right-back market heading into the summer, few readily available options would definitely appeal to Liverpool.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Since many automakers will follow in the footsteps of Audi and Volkswagen, new car imports will be delayed, making used cars much more readily available.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightly. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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