otherwise

¹oth·er·wise

pronoun \-ˌwīz\

Definition of OTHERWISE

: something or anything else : something to the contrary <was ordered to testify and could not do otherwise>

Origin of OTHERWISE

Middle English, from Old English (on) ōthre wīsan in another manner

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with OTHERWISE

advertise, agonize, alchemize, analyze, anglicize, anodize, anywise, aphorize, arborize, atomize, authorize, autolyze, balkanize, barbarize, bastardize, bestialize, bolshevize, booby prize, botanize, bowdlerize, brutalize, canalize, canonize, capsulize, caramelize, carbonize, cartelize, catalyze, catechize, cauterize, centralize, channelize, Christianize, cicatrize, circumcise, civilize, classicize, colonize, colorize, communize, compromise, concertize, concretize, creolize, criticize, customize, demonize, deputize, dialyze, digitize, disfranchise, dogmatize, dramatize, elegize, empathize, emphasize, energize, enfranchise, enterprise, equalize, erotize, eternize, etherize, eulogize, euphemize, exercise, exorcise, factorize, fantasize, federalize, feminize, fertilize, feudalize, fictionize, finalize, focalize, formalize, formulize, fossilize, fragmentize, fraternize, gallicize, galvanize, germanize, ghettoize, glamorize, globalize, gormandize, gothicize, gourmandize, grecianize, harmonize, heathenize, hebraize, hellenize, heroize, hierarchize, humanize, hybridize, hypnotize, idolize, immunize, iodize, ionize, ironize, Islamize, itemize, jeopardize, journalize, Judaize, laicize, latinize, legalize, lionize, liquidize, localize, magnetize, marbleize, martyrize, maximize, mechanize, melanize, melodize, memorize, merchandise, mesmerize, methodize, metricize, minimize, mobilize, modernize, moisturize, mongrelize, moralize, motorize, mythicize, narcotize, nasalize, nebulize, neutralize, normalize, notarize, novelize, obelize, odorize, optimize, organize, ostracize, oversize, oxidize, paganize, palletize, paradise, paralyze, pasteurize, patronize, pauperize, penalize, penny-wise, personalize, pidginize, plasticize, Platonize, pluralize, pocket-size, poetize, polarize, polemize, pressurize, privatize, profitwise, prussianize, publicize, pulverize, racialize, randomize, rationalize, realize, recognize, rhapsodize, robotize, romanize, sanitize, satirize, scandalize, schematize, schismatize, scrutinize, sensitize, sermonize, signalize, simonize, sinicize, slenderize, sloganize, socialize, sodomize, solarize, solemnize, specialize, stabilize, Stalinize, standardize, sterilize, stigmatize, strategize, subsidize, summarize, supervise, syllogize, symbolize, sympathize, synchronize, syncretize, synopsize, synthesize, systemize, tantalize, televise, temporize, tenderize, terrorize, tetanize, teutonize, texturize, theorize, thermalize, totalize, tranquilize, traumatize, tyrannize, unionize, unitize, urbanize, utilize, valorize, vandalize, vaporize, verbalize, vernalize, victimize, vitalize, vocalize, vulcanize, vulgarize, weather-wise, weatherize, westernize, winterize, womanize, worldly-wise

²otherwise

adverb

Definition of OTHERWISE

1

: in a different way or manner <glossed over or otherwise handled — Playboy>

2

: in different circumstances <might otherwise have left>

3

: in other respects <an otherwise flimsy farce — Current Biography>

4

: if not <do what I tell you, otherwise you'll be sorry>

5

: not —paired with an adjective, adverb, noun, or verb to indicate its contrary or to suggest an indefinite alternative <people whose deeds, admirable or otherwise — John Fischer> <almost thirty thousand women, Irish and otherwise — J. M. Burns> <his opinion as to the success or otherwise of it — Austral. Dict. of Biography>

Examples of OTHERWISE

1. All of the books had been burned or otherwise destroyed.
2. The women talked in the living room while the men were otherwise occupied.
3. Art allows us to express things that we would not be able to express otherwise.
4. Something must be wrong; otherwise, he would have called.
5. The test helps identify problems that might otherwise go unnoticed.
6. One of the boys has a freckle on his cheek. Otherwise, the twins are nearly identical.
7. I didn't like the ending, but otherwise it was a very good book.

First Known Use of OTHERWISE

13th century

Related to OTHERWISE

Synonyms

differently, else, other (than)

Antonyms

likewise

Related Words

dissimilarly, diversely, variously

Near Antonyms

similarly

³otherwise

adjective

Definition of OTHERWISE

: different <if conditions were otherwise>

Examples of OTHERWISE

1. If conditions were otherwise, I wouldn't be so worried.

First Known Use of OTHERWISE

14th century