humbly

adverb

Definition of humblynext
as in meekly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion humbly accepted the criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 humbly Related Stories Speaking to Variety on the red carpet at its London Film Festival premiere on Sunday, Garfield — who has been Oscar-nominated twice but never won — reacted humbly to the praise. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 And, as j-hope so humbly mentioned, the awards are just another milestone to add to what has already been a massive year for the group. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026 The homemade, humbly plated dishes and combos — hard-shell tacos, fajitas, chile rellenos, all-day huevos, enchiladas, and green chile (over everything) — are the gold standard for comforting Colo-Mex. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2026 Oeffling humbly downplays the appeal of his music, which has a familiar, early 2000s aesthetic that sounds indebted to the spirit of Yo La Tengo and Broken Social Scene, as well as contemporaries like Alex G. — Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026 To have seen this admired and beloved figure making his way down his spiritual path, humbly, insistently, happily, was a form of validation. — George Saunders, Vanity Fair, 22 Sep. 2026 Elordi nearly shoulders the running time but plays his Hig a bit too humbly. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Under the jerseys, Lee, 40, humbly posts a small University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame plaque. — Pj Green august 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026 The couple lived humbly, which was a nod to Roy Thompson’s beginnings. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
  1. meekly
  2. politely
  3. sheepishly
  4. submissively
  5. deferentially
  6. modestly
  7. lowly
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
  • Can his anti-establishment, punk-rock spirit politely endure an attaboy from the man?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • The hotel is home to the only Starbucks in Wailea so people—however sheepishly—flock here just for that.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheepishly
Adverb
  • Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of submissively
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Both are curled in chairs in an otherwise empty room in an upscale Hyde Park Corner hotel, modestly dressed in jeans, sneakers and casual tops.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Stocks finished higher on the week as bond yields stabilized around 24-year highs and oil prices rose modestly.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of modestly
Adverb
  • Yet his Parma team-mates ranked lowly too, suggesting this was a tactical instruction.
    — Aston Villa, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And Colorado Springs Switchbacks earned a 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Kansas City.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of lowly

Browse Nearby Words

humbling
humbly
humbug
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Cite this Entry

“Humbly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/humbly. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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