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
Diane AckermanWe 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
Craig M. CarverExamples 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
Aim to clean feeders every three days with a diluted bleach solution (9 parts water to 1 part bleach) and thoroughly rinse for optimal hygiene.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Apr. 2026
For items on the list, EWG suggests buying organic or frozen versions, and diligence in washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
This engrossing and thoroughly original thriller combines racing suspense with a moving story about the need for human connection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Here, a tiny getaway has a thoroughly modern look with an angled roofline, a wall of windows, and a stone side wall that’s mirrored in the built in garden beds just beyond.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
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Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 13 Apr. 2026
For items on the list, EWG suggests buying organic or frozen versions, and diligence in washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
—Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
This engrossing and thoroughly original thriller combines racing suspense with a moving story about the need for human connection.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
Here, a tiny getaway has a thoroughly modern look with an angled roofline, a wall of windows, and a stone side wall that’s mirrored in the built in garden beds just beyond.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thoroughly
Cite this Entry
“Thoroughly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughly. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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