CATEGORICAL Synonyms: 77 Similar and Opposite Words

categorical

adjective

ˌka-tə-ˈgȯr-i-kəl

variants also categoric

Definition of categorical

as in unconditional

having no exceptions or restrictions a categorical denial of the rumors that the celebrities were planning to get married

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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 In the early days of alcohol taxation, there was less variation in alcohol categories and clearer distinctions between drinks, so the categorical tax approach made more sense. — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Blanche may have denied before Congress that the weaponization fund was moving ahead, but others have been less categorical, dropping hints that payouts remain in play. — Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic, 11 June 2026 The measure passed Wednesday stops short of a categorical ban that some have sought, but was still met with cautious optimism by traffic safety reformers. — Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026 The fine points of class-action law were, of course, less influential than Crenshaw’s insistence on paying close attention to the way Black women were treated by the courts, and the essay’s most memorable lines were broader categorical claims. — Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for categorical

Recent Examples of Synonyms for categorical

Adjective

The unconditional quality of my love for him will not last forever, just as my brother’s did not.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
As the duo bond over the absurd logistics of their lethal hobby and evade detection, the series uses its heightened premise to deliver a hilarious, deeply relatable exploration of female friendship and unconditional loyalty.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconditional

Adjective

The couple scored 19 — decent compared to the rest of her competition, but an absolute scandal compared to the 21 earned by Higgins, who has next to no experience.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026
Though fluid processing won’t displace high-speed smartphones today, absolute speed was never the point.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of absolute

Adjective

Recommended by Our Editors The sheer aura of this sandbox, and your agile tools for exploring it, almost make the rest of Control Resonant feel perfunctory by comparison.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
The skirt also featured a ribbon waist tie and a sheer, tulle underlayer visible beneath the thigh-high slit.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adjective

Underpinning this assessment is the fact that disagreements between the two nations have gradually expanded beyond simple tariff disputes.

— , CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
In simple terms, cherry juice targets the muscle inflammation caused by exercise, known as oxidative stress.

— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of simple

Adjective

This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.

— Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.

— Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of utter

Adjective

So the idea is that a particle has definite properties independent of what distant particles are doing.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
But the Bulls expressed definite interest in Kuminga, according to a league source speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss front-office strategy.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of definite

Adjective

Along the way, the visible token cost of the underlying models may be only a fraction of the total cost to complete the business task.

— Nicola Sfondrini, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
The first Monday Night Football matchup of the 2026 season was a total disaster class for the Denver Broncos, who got flattened 31-10 by the Kansas City Chiefs at a rowdy Arrowhead Stadium.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of total

Adjective

So the first question was whether a single party should ever hold a complete key, and therefore complete control over a client’s assets.

— Sergey Stopnevich, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Election officials have said there was simply no way to carry out a complete overhaul in the weeks before the midterms.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of complete

Browse Nearby Words

catechumens

categorical

categorically

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“Categorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/categorical. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of categorical

adjective

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