purely

adverb

ˈpyu̇r-lē How to pronounce purely (audio)
Definition of purelynext
1
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed the devout girl vowed to live her life purely and in the service of God

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in solely
for nothing other than I fish purely for the fun of it—I don't care if I end up with no fish to fry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in only
nothing more than her pleasantries were purely for show and masked her true feelings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 purely As for the preseason wins and losses themselves, any resemblance to the reality ahead is purely coincidental. — Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 But the issues with Liverpool’s rest defence aren’t purely structural. — Jon MacKenzie, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Towers said critics like Terplan and Jones were not in a position to know what was happening in the clinic or with his research, and their criticisms are purely speculative. — Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026 To Brian, films are not instructive models for living but exist purely as aesthetic objects and experiences that can be appreciated entirely in and of themselves. — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purely
  1. innocently
  2. solely
  3. only
  4. properly
  5. exclusively
  6. just
  7. chastely
  8. simply
Adverb
  • The Network Started With A Missing File The origins of the incident started innocently.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Their amalgamation with the other color produces a degradation to which no lover of his country, no lover of excellence in the human character can innocently consent.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of innocently
Adverb
  • On another metric, which looks solely at the serve itself (rather than how the point plays out) to generate a 0-10 rating, Shelton comes in fifth on tour.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Some are starting small private businesses solely to afford the tickets to leave.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of solely
Adverb
  • Lisa is seeing what this experience could be for her, which only emphasized just how bad her current situation on RHOSLC is.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
  • What Espada and his club did across the ensuing six days must only enhance Crane’s outlook.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of only
Adverb
  • Knowing what to look for and how to properly analyze a vehicle during a test drive can be the difference between choosing your next daily driver that'll last decades, or leaving a vehicle on the lot.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
  • During the trial, the defense called witnesses who described Clancy as a dedicated parent who suffered from extreme mental illness and was not properly treated by her medical providers.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of properly
Adverb
  • The institute said malaria in Germany almost exclusively affects long-haul travelers who were infected in malaria-endemic areas, and that malaria transmitted within a German airport is rare, the BBC reported.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Since Tiffany’s attacks began, Crowley has moved in Hong’s general direction, emphasizing his requirements—using exclusively renewable energy to power new data centers, building them with union labor—for developers to receive the tax breaks.
    — Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of exclusively
Adverb
  • But his record of publicly interacting with Piker — including at a pool party just before the primary — remains a sore point among some Michigan Democrats.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Search and rescue efforts are only just beginning, and these first hours are filled with uncertainty, but also with hope.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of just
Adverb
  • Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.
    — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of chastely
Adverb
  • Our first feature profile this week focuses on Cristiano Ronaldo, often referred to simply as CR7.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Emotions that pile on top of each other and simply knock you out.
    — John Biemer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of simply

Browse Nearby Words

purees
purely
pureness
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Cite this Entry

“Purely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purely. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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