verbally

adverb

ver·​bal·​ly ˈvər-bə-lē 

1

a

: in words : through or by the use of words

Yet it seems whenever somebody writes about him, Sheen gets verbally slugged for not driving around in some beat-up old Chevy.

—Hal Rubenstein

In Chapter 1 … Burge explains verbally, formally, and symbolically the system of notations to be used in the book.

—Datamation

b

: in spoken rather than written words

In the centuries before the Magna Carta, agreements were made and kept verbally.

—Janeen R. Adil

… John's will was not a written will. It was a nuncupative will, which means on his deathbed, John verbally told persons how he wanted his estate divided or dispensed.

—Sharon Tate Moody

… is intended to express, whether verbally or in writing, or in any other way, the real process of thought.

—Trewin Copplestone

Although some prospects arrive at these football factories verbally committed to a college, most are still free agents.

—Bruce Feldman

c

: with regard to words or language

Lessing has never been an elegant writer. At her better and best, she is cranky, … pleonastic, defensive, and verbally self-indulgent.

—Susan Lardner

Some toddlers walk early and talk late; others are verbally precocious but happily creep and crawl until the middle of the second year.

—Susan Ochshorn

2

: as a verb

a noun being used verbally

Examples of verbally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the start of their relationship, Sperr verbally agreed to give up her interior design career in favor of managing the pair’s homes, overseeing renovations, caring for Bass and representing the couple socially, according to the lawsuit. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026

Where we’re headed Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh has declared war on inflation, committing (at least verbally) to take tough action to get prices under control. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Some critics report being verbally abused, doxxed, and even threatened with rape and death by BJP supporters. — Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Not as verbally eloquent as Roosevelt, Eisenhower communicated with a broad smile and a confident demeanor. — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for verbally

• finale
• alley
• alli
• bally
• calli
• challis
• dally
• galley
• galli
• lally
• mallee
• mally