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

• 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 first half of the documentary is a delightful and thoroughly unlikely progression through one of the most colorful artistic moments in recent history, steered by Asher’s own memories and appearances by friends including Twiggy, Eric Idle and many more. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025

Additionally, the classroom has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to remove any potential mold spores and prevent future growth. —Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Always thoroughly wash your hands after handling raw foods. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

Any wounds, even a tiny scratch, should be thoroughly washed with soap and clean running water, according to the CDC. —Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above