otherwise

pronoun oth·er·wise \ ˈə-t͟hər-ˌwīz \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: otherwise in a Sentence

Definition of otherwise

: something or anything else : something to the contrary

was ordered to testify and could not do otherwise

Origin and Etymology of otherwise

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

otherwise

adverb

Definition of otherwise

1 : in a different way or manner

glossed over or otherwise handled
—Playboy

All shows begin at 8:00 unless otherwise noted.

2 : in different circumstances

might otherwise have left

The test helps identify problems that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

3 : in other respects

an otherwise flimsy farce
—Current Biography

I didn't like the ending, but otherwise it was a very good book.

The patient had a foot problem, but she was otherwise healthy.

4 : if not

do what I tell you, otherwise you'll be sorry

Tickets can be bought in advance at a discount; otherwise they can be purchased at the door for full price.

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
—Australian Dictionary of Biography

See otherwise defined for English-language learners

See otherwise defined for kids

Examples of otherwise in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of otherwise from the Web

The incident commander denied issuing the order, although the surviving crew members claimed otherwise.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "Firefighters protect us. Who protects them?," 13 July 2018
This refusal to recuse means that Benczkowski, who worked on the Trump transition team, could have a role in approving criminal prosecutions related to the Russia investigation and otherwise get insights into the status of the investigation.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Toothless trade resolution demonstrates Congress’s unwillingness to check Trump," 12 July 2018
That makes the opportunity to play pickleball a motivating factor for inmates who otherwise wouldn't get along.

— scott gleeson, USA TODAY, "Pickleball, the country’s fastest growing sport, is also popular in this jail," 27 June 2018
Women who otherwise get abortions can be imprisoned for as long as four years.

— daniel politi and ralph ellis, CNN, "Argentina's lower house of Congress approves bill liberalizing abortion laws," 14 June 2018
Rangers left-hander Martin Pérez was otherwise strong, allowing one run in seven innings in his first start since April 29.

— katherine fominykh, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles ride rookie Yefry Ramírez to beat error-riddled Rangers, 1-0," 15 July 2018
The sequence, midway through Thursday night’s second quarter, was the Magic’s signature moment of an otherwise forgettable outing in which team officials rested second-year forward Jonathan Isaac and heralded rookie center Mo Bamba.

— josh robbins, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rookie Melvin Frazier Jr. showing defensive grit but unrefined offensive game," 14 July 2018
Integral to the ecosystem, the species can eat the diseased remains of animals that might otherwise carry sicknesses, such as hog cholera or anthrax bacteria.

— jordyn hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Black vultures are eating cows alive. But it's difficult to legally kill the birds.," 13 July 2018
Democrats and those who want to defend the FBI and Russia investigation haven't gained much traction trying to argue otherwise.

— amber phillips, Washington Post, "Peter Strzok, the symbol of whatever you want him to be in the Russia investigation," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'otherwise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.