Slowly can describe gradual change, unhurried movement, careful action, or a sluggish pace. Choosing a more specific adverb can make the reason or character of the slowness clearer.
Which Kind of Slowness Do You Mean?
For Slowly, the 12 options below are arranged by meaning and use. The quick list matches the detailed entries and examples that follow.
- Gradually
- Leisurely
- Unhurriedly
- Deliberately
- Steadily
- Ploddingly
- Languidly
- Sluggishly
- Gently
- Laboriously
- Dawdlingly
- Little by little
Gradually
“Gradually” means in small stages or by degrees over time. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: An editor might choose “Gradually” when a sentence about in small stages or by degrees over time needs an alternative to “Slowly”.
Leisurely
“Leisurely” means at a relaxed pace without urgency. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In writing about at a relaxed pace without urgency, “Leisurely” can be a natural substitute for “Slowly”.
Unhurriedly
“Unhurriedly” means without rushing or appearing pressed for time. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A writer could choose “Unhurriedly” when the surrounding wording points specifically to without rushing or appearing pressed for time.
Deliberately
“Deliberately” means at a measured pace because the action is intentional. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The revised sentence used “Deliberately” because the context was really about at a measured pace because the action is intentional.
Steadily
“Steadily” means at a consistent pace without sudden changes. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: Where the meaning centres on at a consistent pace without sudden changes, “Steadily” may fit more precisely than “Slowly”.
Ploddingly
“Ploddingly” means slowly and heavily, often with persistent effort. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A copy editor might prefer “Ploddingly” for wording concerned with slowly and heavily, often with persistent effort.
Languidly
“Languidly” means in a relaxed, slow, or low-energy manner. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: In context, “Languidly” works well when the sentence is describing in a relaxed, slow, or low-energy manner.
Sluggishly
“Sluggishly” means with little speed, energy, or responsiveness. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A sentence focused on with little speed, energy, or responsiveness can use “Sluggishly” without simply repeating “Slowly”.
Gently
“Gently” means with light, controlled movement rather than force or haste. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The alternative “Gently” is most useful when with light, controlled movement rather than force or haste is the nuance the writer wants.
Laboriously
“Laboriously” means slowly because considerable effort is required. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: A draft about slowly because considerable effort is required might replace “Slowly” with “Laboriously” for greater precision.
Dawdlingly
“Dawdlingly” means with unnecessary delay or lack of urgency. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: When with unnecessary delay or lack of urgency is the main idea, “Dawdlingly” can be the cleaner wording choice.
Little by little
“Little by little” means in small increments rather than all at once. It is a more precise alternative to Slowly when that particular nuance is the one you need.
Example: The wording “Little by little” suits a sentence in which the emphasis falls on in small increments rather than all at once.
Choosing the Right Wording for “Slowly”
Gradually and little by little fit change over time. Leisurely and unhurriedly suggest an easy pace, deliberately suggests intention, while ploddingly, sluggishly, and laboriously emphasize effort or low speed.