thoroughly

adverb

thor·​ough·​ly ˈthər-(ˌ)ō-lē 

sometimes ˈthȯr-;

ˈthə-(ˌ)rō-

: in a complete or thorough manner

Police thoroughly searched the crime scene for clues.

Bats are extremely tidy: they comb themselves thoroughly, and don't gather a mess of nesting materials for their homes, as birds do.

—Diane Ackerman

: to a complete or thorough extent

We were thoroughly satisfied with the service we received.

thoroughly disgusted/delighted

By taking all the tricks in the game, one defeats the opponent so thoroughly that he may be disconcerted …

—Craig M. Carver

Synonyms of thoroughly

• systematically
• fully

Examples of thoroughly in a Sentence

they researched the issue thoroughly before deciding how to vote

I am thoroughly satisfied with her explanation of the events of that evening

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest issue of Chris Ware’s Acme Novelty Library delivers a thoroughly modern reading experience in a keepsake box. — Chris Ware, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Anwar said the information in the warrant on medication in the home raised questions about how thoroughly DCF had checked out the family home in the week preceding Rogers’ death. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026

Across living spaces, clean doorknobs and light switches, vacuum carpets thoroughly and sweep then mop hard floors with hot soapy water. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Nov. 2026

Austrian, though, with the exception of a few appealing transitions, has played it thoroughly straight. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above