vaguely

adverb

Definition of vaguelynext
as in slightly

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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 vaguely Kusama’s talk of self-obliteration sounds vaguely Buddhist or Taoist. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 You could be tempted to completely change your wardrobe, routines and future goals simply because something feels ambiguous or vaguely off. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 Maybe that’s why vermouth still feels vaguely stodgy to some of us. — Devin Parr, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Darwin knew of him vaguely, as Wallace had written to him once before. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vaguely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vaguely
  1. slightly
  2. nominally
  3. little
  4. negligibly
  5. tolerably
  6. decently
  7. acceptably
Adverb
  • This pick has a slightly boxy cut and just-so crop, which feels modern without requiring you to flash your belly button to the masses.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Everyone in Los Angeles apologized to me about the weather, which was warm, breezy, and ever so slightly overcast—in short, perfect.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • Flock argues that its cameras, which are nominally intended to scan license plates, could help solve crimes and find missing persons.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Before its founding, seven agencies nominally held responsibility for various elements of consumer protection, but none had it as a primary mission.
    — Jennifer Pahlka, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nominally
Adverb
  • Oil prices were also little changed after Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Tehran had reached an agreement with Oman over the control of and revenue from the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Ultimately, the Community Shield may tell us very little about who will lift the Premier League trophy next May.
    — Dean Jones, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of little
Adverb
  • In an economy where wages are anchored to what compute would cost to replicate human work, human labor becomes economically marginal—not worthless, but negligibly small relative to the overall pie.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • In other words, the chin contributes negligibly to resisting chewing forces.
    — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Definition of negligibly
Adverb
  • The Sky fell, but tolerably so.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • This works tolerably well when a family is small and operating within a common frame of reference.
    — Sharon Olson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Definition of tolerably
Adverb
  • Miller played decently during the Dolphins’ preseason finale and had some good moments during the final two weeks of training camp.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Cam Gill earned a pair of fumble recoveries, true, and had a decently productive preseason.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of decently
Adverb
  • Those who answered acceptably were invited to in-person tryouts.
    — Eric Nager, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
  • Somehow, the shameless concept of tanking has become an acceptably mainstream idea like destination weddings and the Paleo diet.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of acceptably

Browse Nearby Words

vague
vaguely
vagueness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vaguely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vaguely. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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