variants
also categoric
as in definite
having no exceptions or restrictions
a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of categorical
Though some agencies have historically required disclosure of intimate relationships in high-risk postings, a categorical non-fraternization order in a country as geopolitically significant as China marks a rare step.
—
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
No ‘categorical right’ The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the PBA stretched Marsy’s Law too far.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
This is a logical fallacy—specifically, a misinterpretation of categorical logic.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
That decision bore rotten fruit when the Oscars similarly used Gascon to break its own categorical norms.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for categorical
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
No ‘categorical right’ The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the PBA stretched Marsy’s Law too far.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025
This is a logical fallacy—specifically, a misinterpretation of categorical logic.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
That decision bore rotten fruit when the Oscars similarly used Gascon to break its own categorical norms.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for categorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for categorical
Adjective
-
Call me crazy, but there’s a definite pulp feel to all the prison scenes and sets, too.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
-
But there was a definite hostage-video vibe to her appearances during the presidential campaign, giving students of body language a speculative field day.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, there were 285 total cases nationwide with no deaths reported by the CDC.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The double-digit number of people laid off may be a small fraction of the 10,000 total layoffs at HHS, but the cuts included the person who determines what funds each state receives for the program.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But there’s also a remarkable elasticity to Bennett’s prose: the narrator’s thoughts stretch from the very inconsequential to the most profound.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2025
-
While carbon dioxide comprises just 0.042 percent (424 ppm) of our atmosphere—up from 0.028 percent in the 1700s—its influence is profound.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Will people be more open and accept that a simple, inexpensive date isn’t the sign of low effort but rather a reflection of the economy none of us asked for?—
Myisha Battle,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The simplest way, Studholme suggests, is to use one group of neutrals or a tone on tone graduation of the same color, such as Pigeon, Blue Gray, Muzzle and Cromarty from Farrow & Ball, for example.—
Ariel Okin,
Vogue,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Before starting an application server migration, ensure the middleware provider offers comprehensive migration resources and conducts a thorough review of your current architecture.—
Steve Millidge,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The manual work process was as impressive as the thorough understanding of quality choices.—
Mark Holgate,
Vogue,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Newsom's office told Fox News Digital that the risk assessment will be complete on June 13, 2025.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
More news to know now Jury selection is complete in the second murder trial of Karen Read.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What the characters can or cannot do in response, and the catharsis they’re prevented from attaining, are both key parts of their story, and of life in the West Bank at large — a reality Nabulsi conveys in stark, realistic hues, despite her first-feature growing pains.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Although the hairstyle also featured her usual honey blonde color, the contemporary styling felt like a stark contrast to her more sophisticated Glinda looks.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Characterized by sheer white tones with a glossy finish, the milky nail look supplies a more natural look.—
Taylor Anderson,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
-
The Presidents’ Trophy is also a testament to the sheer quality of players assembled on the Winnipeg roster.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Categorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/categorical. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share