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
Both Clinton and Andrew are mentioned in the Epstein files, although inclusion in the files does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing.
—
Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
How to style barrel leg jeans—a denim trend from 2025 that is still going strong this year—is not necessarily going to be the same as how to wear baggy pants or skinny jeans.
—Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
Because of the nature of the injury, Herro said there is not necessarily 100% assuredness.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Yet that’s not necessarily true.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for not necessarily
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Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
How to style barrel leg jeans—a denim trend from 2025 that is still going strong this year—is not necessarily going to be the same as how to wear baggy pants or skinny jeans.
—Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
Because of the nature of the injury, Herro said there is not necessarily 100% assuredness.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
Yet that’s not necessarily true.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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