surely

adverb sure·ly \ ˈshu̇r-lē , ˈshər- , especially Southern ˈshȯr- \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of surely

1 : in a sure manner:

a archaic : without danger or risk of injury or loss : safely

b (1) : with assurance : confidently

answered quickly and surely

(2) : without doubt : certainly

they will surely be heard from in the future
—R. J. Lifton

2 : indeed, really —often used as an intensive

you surely don't believe that

See surely defined for English-language learners

See surely defined for kids

sure vs. surely

Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive

- I can never know how much I bored her, but, be certain, she sure amused me
- —Norman Mailer

and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.

- it's a moot point whether politicians are less venal than in Twain's day. But they're sure as the devil more intrusive
- —Alan Abelson
- he sure gets them to play
- —D. S. Looney

Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive

- I surely don't want to leave the impression that I had an unhappy childhood
- —E. C. Welsh

but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree

- it would surely be possible, within a few years, to program a computer to construct a grammar
- —Noam Chomsky

and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.

- surely a book on the avant-garde cannot be so conventional
- —Karl Shapiro

Examples of surely in a Sentence

She answered quickly and surely.
He will surely be missed.
This is surely the best dessert you have ever made.
Surely you must admit that it was a good decision.

Recent Examples of surely from the Web

Political watchdogs will surely take note to whether or not Comey drops the anti-Trump shtick when speaking to a non-partisan anchor.

— brian flood, Fox News, "Comey interview with Stephanopoulos reveals 'bash Trump' book tour plan," 11 Apr. 2018
While the company surely counts as a monopoly — during the hearing, Zuckerberg struggled to name a serious competitor — traditional antitrust law requires a showing of economic harm to the public.

— hiawatha bray, BostonGlobe.com, "In Mark Zuckerberg we trust? Not yet," 11 Apr. 2018
Fans might be getting bored with the A-Day concept: Poor weather was surely a factor, but the number of empty seats at A-Day had to be disheartening for those inside the program.

— creg stephenson, AL.com, "AL.com All-Access: What impressions did you draw from Auburn A-Day game?," 10 Apr. 2018
This year's theme for the Summit of the Americas is transparency and anti-corruption efforts, issues that would have surely evoked thoughts of the unspooling special counsel investigation embroiling Trump and his circle in the United States.

— tracy wilkinson, latimes.com, "Trump's first trip to Latin America was never going to be easy. Calling it off could deepen region's distrust," 10 Apr. 2018
This statement was not uttered as an excuse, although that is surely how some will take it.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "At end of a trying season, a feat worth celebrating," 10 Apr. 2018
In sum, Texas still ranks low relative to other states in fourth-grade reading performance among Hispanics and lower-income students, an issue that surely will draw scrutiny following the release of NAEP results.

— jacob carpenter, Houston Chronicle, "Texas 4th-graders ranked 45th nationally in reading last year. It's not as bad as it sounds," 10 Apr. 2018
The club are sixth in the Serie A table and are eight points behind Lazio in third, which is surely too big a gap to make up with only seven games remaining, especially with Inter and Roma in the mix.

— SI.com, "Ruud Gullit Urges Former Club AC Milan to Win Coppa Italia Final to 'Spark New Cycle'," 10 Apr. 2018
This of course brings up a number of questions about free will and destiny that the writers will surely expand on in the coming episodes.

— rachel kaufman, Smithsonian, "Welcome to Salem, Witches: “Timeless” Season 2, Episode 4, Recapped," 9 Apr. 2018

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