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 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 When Duffy walked out humbly to the stage, with a gentle handwave and smile, Dupree removed his cap atop his long rocker ponytail, put his gruff hand on Duffy’s lean shoulder and asked the crowd for a moment of silence. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026 Knopf humbly acknowledges Visit Orlando and Orlando Health’s role in lifting our community’s boats with a veritable tidal wave of funding, as well as the diners who participate. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 This time, France is the favorite (no matter what their coach Didier Deschamps humbly claims). — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 14 July 2026 The post shows the actress going from humbly accepting the compliment to striking her best modeling poses as the wind blows through her hair. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Some films herald the scope of their ambitions from the opening frame, whereas others start humbly with a mastery that slowly comes to the fore. — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for humbly
  1. meekly
  2. politely
  3. sheepishly
  4. submissively
  5. deferentially
  6. modestly
  7. lowly
Adverb
  • When Luke tells him, meekly, not to touch Crystal, Max only wants to know who the young man is.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • Though there have been tensions between Camilla and her stepson Harry over the years, royal biographer Tom Bower reported that the queen politely offered the Duke of Sussex a cup of tea.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Clocking in at 30 minutes, Williams’ Quartet La Jolla is a five-part work that politely utilizes dissonance and sometimes abstract rhythms.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 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
  • Campaign reports filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office show Caruso and Democratic candidate Drucker raised and spent relatively modestly for a countywide campaign.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • This is a player who has been a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front.
    — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of modestly
Adverb
  • And Colorado Springs Switchbacks earned a 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Kansas City.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
  • To win the division, the Ravens would need to win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh and have the Steelers lose to lowly Cleveland in Week 17.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
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 2 Sep. 2026.

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