mentally

adverb

men·​tal·​ly ˈmen-tᵊl-ē How to pronounce mentally (audio)
1
: in the mind
Mentally he promised himself that he would never again use a collar on any living creature.Brian Jacques
: using the mind
able to mentally calculate large sums
2
: with regard to the mind or its capacity
physically and mentally healthy people
a mentally competent adult
a mentally challenging activity
… if you try to hide the fact that you feel mentally inadequate, and so go around making jokes about your own dullness and acting as if it didn't bother you at all …David Foster Wallace
I felt too hungry and tired and mentally overloaded to ask any more questions.Rick Riordan

Examples of mentally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Your ability to stay focused, succinct and mentally agile in high-pressure situations. Sue Reynolds-Frost, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 To reduce risk, the researchers recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, minimizing alcohol intake, remaining mentally active, and seeing a doctor to address any medical problem known to increase the likelihood of dementia. Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025 That’s why parents should make a conscious effort to be mentally present when interacting with their kids. Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 13 July 2025 Mein’s coach and father have praised his ability to mentally stay in a competition, especially when things get off to a rocky start. Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mentally

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mentally was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Mentally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mentally. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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