1
: to the exclusion of all else
done solely for money
2
: without another : singly
went solely on her way
Examples of solely in a Sentence
His rank was based solely on merit.
You will be held solely responsible for any damage.
She did not write solely for money.
Recent Examples on the Web
Still, Marlon’s attention hasn’t solely been on the special.
—
Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
There is confusion about whether the foreign cops being deployed to Haiti will be involved in combating gangs, or tasked solely with protecting key government infrastructures such as the airport, seaport, the presidential palace and main roads.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
No one is chased through the streets or arrested solely for violating the curfew, Ms. Eure said.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 1 June 2024
The 57-year-old Sacramento native unexpectedly went viral when his mission was mistakenly framed as a boycott, but Marler is solely fueled by his desire to support the team.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for solely 
Ali Lerman, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024
There is confusion about whether the foreign cops being deployed to Haiti will be involved in combating gangs, or tasked solely with protecting key government infrastructures such as the airport, seaport, the presidential palace and main roads.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024
No one is chased through the streets or arrested solely for violating the curfew, Ms. Eure said.
—Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 1 June 2024
The 57-year-old Sacramento native unexpectedly went viral when his mission was mistakenly framed as a boycott, but Marler is solely fueled by his desire to support the team.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 1 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for solely
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solely.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near solely
Cite this Entry
“Solely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solely. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solely
adverb
sole·ly
ˈsō(l)-lē 
2
: only entry 2 sense 1a
done solely for money
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