humbly
In modest fashion
Humbly describes doing something with humility—without arrogance or self-importance.
To speak humbly is to avoid boasting or claiming superiority: I humbly accept this honor.
The word can signal genuine modesty or serve as a polite formula: I humbly suggest we reconsider.
Sometimes used with gentle irony when the speaker isn't humble at all.
In humble manner
- unpretentiouslyWithout false importance
- unassuminglyWithout airs or pretension
- simplyIn plain terms
- plainlyIn obvious fashion
quietly · unobtrusively · self-effacingly · meekly · diffidently · bashfully · shyly · timidly
In a deferential way
- deferentiallyWith respectful yielding
- reverentlyWith profound respect
- politelyWith good manners
- courteouslyWith good manners
submissively · obediently · dutifully · devoutly · piously · graciously · admiringly · appreciatively
In a sorry manner
- contritelyWith guilt and regret
- penitentlyWith sincere regret
- remorsefullyWith sorrowful self-reproach
- repentantlyWith sincere regret
regretfully · shamefacedly · sheepishly · guiltily · ruefully · sorrowfully · ashamedly · cap in hand
modestly
In humble manner
- unpretentiouslyWithout false importance
- unassuminglyWithout airs or pretension
- simplyIn plain terms
plainly · quietly · unobtrusively · self-effacingly · meekly · diffidently · bashfully · shyly · timidly · demurely
respectfully
In a deferential way
- deferentiallyWith respectful yielding
- reverentlyWith profound respect
- politelyWith good manners
courteously · submissively · obediently · dutifully · devoutly · piously · graciously · admiringly · appreciatively · solemnly
apologetically
In a sorry manner
- contritelyWith guilt and regret
- penitentlyWith sincere regret
- remorsefullyWith sorrowful self-reproach
repentantly · regretfully · shamefacedly · sheepishly · guiltily · ruefully · sorrowfully · ashamedly · cap in hand · beseechingly
- adverbsquickly, slowly, very, really, now
- humilitymeekness, modesty, modest, lowliness, meek
- polite phrasesplease, thank you, yes sir, hello, no sir
- sign-offsgoodbye, farewell, bye, see you later, sincerely
- humble requestplease, beg, appeal, petition, entreaty
- devout adverbsdevoutly, piously, reverently, religiously, faithfully
humblyarrogantly
With excessive pride
proudly · boastfully · vainly · egotistically · pridefully
humblyhaughtily
With disdainful superiority
disdainfully · contemptuously · superciliously · condescendingly · scornfully
humblyboldly
With fearless confidence
defiantly · brashly · audaciously · presumptuously · impertinently
- humble pieFigurative food of apology
- eat humble pieAdmit error humbly
- humble beginningsUnprivileged early circumstances
- in my humble opinionQualifier before a viewpoint
- humble bragBoast dressed as complaint
- eating humble pie