CATEGORICALLY Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

categorically

adverb

Definition of categorically

as in absolutely

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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 Vargas found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his authority by categorically stopping consular officers from issuing visas based on applicants’ nationalities. — María Luisa Paúl, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for categorically

Adverb

Yes, users absolutely deserve a vastly superior product, and Google’s current strategy is an insult to the scale of its resources.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
The report starts by outlining how the league browbeats front offices with memos and other communication about cap circumvention and what qualifies, which is absolutely correct.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of absolutely

Adverb

For even bouncier curl definition, our editors love pairing the shampoo with the Curl Charisma Rice Amino & Shea Curl Defining Conditioner.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
If superconductivity in magic-angle graphene were primarily driven by phonons, or vibrations of the atomic lattice, weakening Coulomb interactions would be expected to leave the effect largely unchanged or even strengthen it slightly.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of even

Adverb

The superconductivity weakened with the screening and was eventually completely suppressed.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
While Barrett suggests a whole world of lore that goes unexplored, the film’s climax is completely missing in action.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of completely

Adverb

An exhausting, head-spinning and often downright silly offseason is officially over after college football really kicked off on Thursday (after the always bizarre Week 0 last weekend).

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Staffers for major political figures have puzzled over the content, and are growing concerned about the rise of a new wave of videos with errors, exaggerations, misleading comments, and a tone that can be downright weird.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of downright

Adverb

Tech in a totally different world Spears’ MTV performance was also one of the first set-designing jobs led by Ray Winkler, the CEO and design director of STUFISH Entertainment Architects.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
How the Phillies then scored six runs in, like, the next 38 seconds is both totally wacky and totally on brand.

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of totally

Adverb

What ensues is, in a purely visceral way, wholly transfixing.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Demand for jewelry outside the typical, as a reflection of personality or individual values, sees more buyers searching for ways to create items wholly unique to their tastes.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of wholly

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“Categorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/categorically. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of categorically

adverb

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