softly softly
Careful, measured approach
Softly softly describes a cautious, patient, gradual approach—avoiding aggressive or hasty action.
Chiefly British: a softly softly approach to negotiations, The police took a softly softly line with the protesters.
The phrase often modifies nouns as a compound adjective: softly-softly tactics.
It suggests that gentle persistence may succeed where force would fail.
- gingerlyWith wary caution
- tread lightlyAct with delicacy
- tiptoeing aroundAvoiding direct engagement carefully
- lenientTolerant of faults
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
understated · low key · mild · incremental · delicate · subtle · non-confrontational · stepwise · coax · measured · conciliatory · quietly · gentle · gentle touch · careful · kid gloves · velvet glove · nuanced
softly softlyaggressive
Hostile and confrontational
heavy-handed · forceful · confrontational · hardball · direct
softly softlyrushed
Done with excessive speed
hasty · impatient · headlong · precipitous · hell for leather
soft, soften, softly, softness, softened, softening, softer, softens, softest