Adverbs That Start With M

Updated October 4, 2019
Adverbs That Start With M
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Adverbs exist to provide greater description to verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Mostly, you can spot them by their -ly ending. Don't be fooled, though. They don't all have to end in -ly.


Magically is an adverb, but so is maybe. Ready to meddle in 50 of the most common adverbs that start with M? Then let's mentally maneuver down to the next section.

50 Adverbs Starting With M

Here are 50 of the most commonly used M-adverbs today. Beside them is a short definition, as well as a few synonyms to expand your vocabulary even further:

Adverb

Definition

Synonym

madly

wildly, fiercely

crazily, insanely, frantically

magically

in an enchanting or bewitching manner

marvelously, unusually, wondrously

magnificently

in an exceptional or amazing manner

beautifully, gorgeously, splendidly

mainly

for the most part

chiefly, primarily, principally

majorly

to a great or intense degree

largely, hugely, considerably

maliciously

in a manner that shows spite or intentional harm

hatefully, malevolently, nastily

manifestly

in a way that is clear or obvious

markedly, conspicuously, strikingly

manually

something done using physical labor

laboriously, physically

marginally

promoting only a small change

slightly, lightly, hardly

markedly

in a distinct or noticeable manner

distinctly, considerably, conspicuously

massively

on a vast scale

heavily, densely, thickly

masterfully

in a confident and competent manner

excellently, famously, magnificently

materially

with regard to the physical world

physically, tangibly, palpably

mathematically

in a way that relates to mathematical terms

analytically, numerically, scientifically

maybe

possibly; perhaps

conceivably, feasibly, possibly

meaningfully

in a manner that has purpose or value

deliberately, consciously, knowingly

meanwhile

in or during the intervening time

simultaneously, concurrently

measly

something so small that it is almost insulting

contemptibly, insignificantly, meagerly

mechanically

by means of machinery

automatically, involuntarily

medically

for reasons relating to medicine

medicinally, therapeutically, restoratively

memorably

in a manner that is not easily forgotten

enduringly, extraordinarily, remarably

mentally

in a manner thought out in the mind, as opposed to spoken

intellectually, psychologically, inwardly

mercifully

in a caring or compassionate manner

charitably, compassionately, kindly

mercilessly

in a manner that shows no feeling or pity

barbarously, heartlessly, cruelly

merely

nothing more; just; only

barely, jsimply, solely

merrily

in a cheerful manner

joyfully, cheerfully, gleefully

metaphorically

in a metaphoric manner; not literally

figuratively, allegorically, metaphorically

methodically

something that is done in a systematic and orderly manner

neatly, accurately, cleanly

meticulously

something being done with great attention to detail

thoroughly, assiduously, carefully

midway

in the middle of a way or distance

halfway, averagely, intermediately

mightily

in a powerful manner

forcefully, strenuously, vigorously

mildly

in a moderate or pleasant manner

gently, delicately, moderately

militarily

in a martial manner

combatively, soldierly

mindlessly

in a manner that shows little to no intellect

obliviously, foolishly, senselessly

minimally

to a small extent

basically, essentially, nominally

miraculously

in a manner that includes divine intervention

wonderfully, admirably, amazingly

miserably

in an unhappy manner

sadly, dismally, cheerlessly

mistakenly

in error; wrongly

erroneously, falsely, badly

moderately

to an average extent

fairly, reasonably, passably

modestly

in a manner that is humble and not extreme

humbly, plainly, quietly

momentarily

for a short time

briefly, immediately, instantly

morally

relating to morals or ethics

properly, scrupulously, fairly

morbidly

in a manner that connects to death or disease

unnaturally, gruesomely, weirdly

more

something that is done to a larger extent

also, better, further

moreover

besides, also, or in addition to what has been said

additionally, besides, likewise

most

the highest or greatest level

extremely, exceedingly, remarkably

mostly

generally; usually

generally, mainly, chiefly

musically

with a pleasant or melodious sound

harmoniously, melodiously, mellifluously

mutually

in the same way

reciprocally, commonly, jointly

mysteriously

in a manner that's not understood or known

secretly, perplexingly, strangely

For even more adverbs to add to your lexicon, check out this List of 100 Adverbs!

What Is An Adverb?

Like other parts of speech, adverbs seek to provide a little more information to our sentences. Typically, they stand beside verbs, but that won't always be the case.

They also like to modify adjectives and other adverbs. A great way to spot adverbs is to look for words that end in -ly. Examples from the above list include "mightily" and "mindlessly."

We can get a little more specific than simply saying adverbs like to add more information. Let's take a closer look at what, mutually, they aim to do:

  • Adverbs Tell How It Happened: Adverbs like "madly" describe how something was done.
  • Adverbs Tell Where It Happened: Adverbs like "underground" describe the location of where something happened.
  • Adverbs Tell When It Happened: Adverbs like "midway" describe when something took place.
  • Adverbs Tell the Extent of an Action: Adverbs like "mostly" describe the extent to which something did or did not happen.

For more on how adverbs work to intensify the meaning behind other words, check out these Examples of Adverbs.

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10 Example Sentences

Let's look at 10 of the above M-adverbs merging together with other words to form a sentence:

  1. She magnificently emerged out of the sea.
  2. He maliciously provoked the other child into anger.
  3. Stephanie markedly improved her math average this semester.
  4. Yolanda meaningfully commented on Jorge's essay.
  5. He pardoned the sinner, mercifully.
  6. They memorably described their travels through Europe.
  7. She meticulously jotted down her favorite memories.
  8. He rather musically hummed that tune.
  9. They mutually agreed to put the past behind them.
  10. No one knows why he mysteriously vanished into the night.

Markedly Meticulous

If we're meant to be markedly meticulous in our writing, it's best to note that an overabundance of adverbs won't do us any good. They must be used moderately, as too many -ly words will make our prose appear clunky.

What is wonderful, however, is a bit of alliteration. If you'd like to pair up an M-adverb with an M-adjective, that might make for some wonderful poetry. As such, here are 20 Adjectives That Start With M.