not necessarily
idiom
: possibly but not certainly
—used to say that something is not definitely true
Seats in the front row are not necessarily the best.
"We're going to lose this game." "Not necessarily."
Examples of not necessarily in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The defense argued the prosecution should not be allowed to show the jury these letters because Cox does not necessarily harbor the same intent from 30 years ago.
—
Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
According to Francois Godard at research firm Enders Analysis, Paramount Skydance’s likely victory is actually not necessarily the best outcome for European theater owners.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
That’s because a cornerstone concern is not necessarily Take Your Kid to Polio Day.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Alone, or reading his work aloud, because the emotions are so not necessarily strong, but very clear.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
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Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 28 Feb. 2026
According to Francois Godard at research firm Enders Analysis, Paramount Skydance’s likely victory is actually not necessarily the best outcome for European theater owners.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 27 Feb. 2026
That’s because a cornerstone concern is not necessarily Take Your Kid to Polio Day.
—Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Alone, or reading his work aloud, because the emotions are so not necessarily strong, but very clear.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for not necessarily
Cite this Entry
“Not necessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20necessarily. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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