thoroughgoing

adjective

thor·​ough·​go·​ing ˌthər-ə-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce thoroughgoing (audio)
ˌthə-rə-,
-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ
: marked by thoroughness or zeal : thorough, complete
thoroughgoing changes
a thoroughgoing traditionalist
thoroughgoingly adverb

Examples of thoroughgoing in a Sentence

civil rights advocates are hoping for a thoroughgoing rejection of the proposed bill a thoroughgoing attempt to solve the puzzle and still no luck
Recent Examples on the Web The defense contends that the conflict generated by the circumstances of the Wade/Willis relationship is so thoroughgoing that the district attorney’s office, as a whole, should be recused from the case and the indictment dismissed. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 13 Feb. 2024 There can be no thoroughgoing reform until campus diversity-equity-and-inclusion bureaucracies are abolished. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 All her videos are thoroughgoing demonstrations, but Li should not be categorized alongside other instructional YouTubers. Oscar Schwartz, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2023 In a more normal world, a scrupulous prosecutor would be handling the case and have the time to conduct a thoroughgoing investigation. The Editors, National Review, 28 July 2023 All three are thoroughgoing conservatives, but all have condemned Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2023 In 1976, Biden, then 33, was a thoroughgoing Jimmy Carter Democrat. Doyle McManuswashington Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2023 His strategy for change is more thoroughgoing than what’s on offer from Web3 boosters, billionaire founders, or even well-meaning regulators. Sarah Leonard, The New Republic, 8 Sep. 2022 Yet the United States has successfully depleted the supply of machine guns, as well as the ease and attractiveness of their use by criminals, with exactly these measures: a gun database and a thoroughgoing application process. Adam Weinstein, The New Republic, 20 Apr. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thoroughgoing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thoroughgoing was in 1719

Dictionary Entries Near thoroughgoing

Cite this Entry

“Thoroughgoing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughgoing. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thoroughgoing

adjective
thor·​ough·​go·​ing ˌthər-ə-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce thoroughgoing (audio)
ˌthə-rə-
: thorough sense 1, complete
thoroughgoing cooperation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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