categorically

adverb

Definition of categoricallynext
as in absolutely

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 categorically Murray said he is not categorically opposed to a data center in Waxhaw, but any proposal would need to be governed by clear rules that account for its effects on surrounding neighborhoods and the town’s utilities. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 4 Aug. 2026 Jafri has categorically denied any wrongdoing in the Dubai sale. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Biological and chemical weapons are categorically off-limits. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 9 July 2026 Instead, researchers have sought compelling evidence that quantum proofs are categorically different from classical ones. — Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2026 The numbers are categorically different from anything American public life has seen before, and the institutions meant to respond to that fact are largely failing to do so. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 July 2026 Speaking with Le Monde, Costa has categorically denied the accusations. — News Desk, Artforum, 2 July 2026 Within days of the announcement, the American Medical Association and dozens of medical societies urged DHS to categorically exempt physicians, residents, and fellows based on workforce needs and the realities of underserved care. — Lorraine D'alessio, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The quality of a child’s public school education being determined by ZIP code is categorically unfair AND inefficient. — Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for categorically
  1. absolutely
  2. even
  3. completely
  4. entirely
  5. downright
  6. totally
  7. wholly
Adverb
  • This entire Jean Grey storyline linking her with Spider-Man has absolutely no basis in the comics at all.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Cast in screaming-red, these sports cars are the epitome of cool — and their engines absolutely sing.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of absolutely
Adverb
  • Planners prioritize areas that don’t have equitable park access to ensure everybody can get to a dog park, splash pad or even just green space, Walker said.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The city has not enforced the loan’s default provisions, even after Step Up settled a separate $3 million state lawsuit over undelivered Project Homekey housing.
    — Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of even
Adverb
  • People who come here and spend the whole day leave feeling completely renewed.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The treat filled me up, cooled me down and completely satisfied my sweet tooth.
    — Hali Smith August 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of completely
Adverb
  • Which is not entirely unreasonable given this very specific set of circumstances.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • On 11 July, an entirely new kind of hacking attack was launched at Hugging Face, an online platform that houses a library of AI code and datasets.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of entirely
Adverb
  • The lower gravity might make that somewhat less intimidating, but the waves will also move more slowly as well, feeling downright eerie compared with Earth’s.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
  • The glow through the translucent stone façade prevents that journey from being downright depressing.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026
Definition of downright
Adverb
  • Disability discharge Borrowers who become totally and permanently disabled may qualify to have eligible federal student loans discharged through the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge program.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • On the totally other end of the experience spectrum, there’s the Casino De Ibiza, which is part of the Ibiza Gran Hotel complex.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
Definition of totally
Adverb
  • By betting big bucks on a franchise so recognizable, Netflix could have less to spend on wholly original content.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2026
  • These elucidations are not only fascinating, but wholly original as far as rock star memoirs go.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of wholly

Browse Nearby Words

categorical
categorically
categories
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Categorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/categorically. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of colloquial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All