ADJ.
educated, smiling
VERB + SOFTLY
back, barked, chirping, chuckled, crying, laughed, rains, sang
SOFTLY + NOUN
city, ear, men, roads, someone's, town, tread
PREP.
in, on, on, out
adv
In a soft manner; gently.
The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
He had married a lady well educated and softly nurtured, but not dowered with worldly wealth. […] They would give up ideas of gentle living, of soft raiment, and delicate feeding.
Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.
whisper softly in someone's ear
play music softly
With subdued color; faded or misty with distance.
And they sat very still, the two of them, and looked out over that great, beautiful desert—away to the home mesa that they could see, softly blue, in the distance.
Do not boast or utter verbal threats, but do make others aware that you are prepared to use physical or military force if necessary.
There is a homely old adage which runs: "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
Alternative form of speak softly and carry a big stick.
Alternative form of speak softly and carry a big stick.
The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
WiktionaryHe had married a lady well educated and softly nurtured, but not dowered with worldly wealth. […] They would give up ideas of gentle living, of soft raiment, and delicate feeding.
Wiktionarywhisper softly in someone's ear
WiktionaryThe mother laid her baby on the bed softly.
Tatoeba · #44051You speak so softly that I cannot quite hear what you say.
Tatoeba · #69845I walked softly for fear of waking the baby.
Tatoeba · #272312