softly

Adverb

• In a soft or gentle manner; quietly.
• with low volume
  • "speak softly but carry a big stick"
  • "the radio was playing softly"
• in a manner that is pleasing to the senses
  • "she smiled softly"
• with little weight or force
• used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly

Adv

• In a soft manner; gently.
• Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.
• With subdued color; faded or misty with distance.

Examples

• play music softly
• She played her winning word softly, not wanting to draw attention to her impressive score.
• The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
• whisper softly in someone's ear

Synonyms

gently, lightly, piano, quietly

Antonyms

forte, loudly