CATEGORICALLY Synonyms: 73 Similar and Opposite Words

categorically

adverb

Definition of categorically

as in absolutely

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Recent Examples of categorically Even so, Netanyahu categorically rejected this road map, insisting that there could be no Israeli withdrawal until Hamas was fully disarmed and that Israel remained free to continue military operations in Gaza. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 That isn’t to say that Mark Zuckerberg is less evil than Sam Altman, only that these films — one diagnostic, the other biblical — adopt categorically different perspectives on their subjects, neither one of whom can leave their humanity behind. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 6 Oct. 2026 El-Sayed has since disavowed Piker’s controversial statements and ended plans for joint campaigning, but has not categorically repudiated him nor apologized for appearing with him. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026 El-Sayed has since disavowed Piker's controversial statements and ended plans for joint campaigning, but has not categorically repudiated him nor apologized for appearing with him. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 Flynn took the witness stand in an oxford gray suit and categorically denied having sex with either of his accusers. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for categorically

Adverb

Forecasting the Field While Kehlani is a strong contender for the category, the R&B space has absolutely expanded, while seeing the return of some of R&B’s original icons.

— Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2026
So, remember that your diet can absolutely play a role in supporting your focus and energy.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of absolutely

Adverb

Yet despite the construction boom and falling rents, Pew noted that housing gaps remain even larger for lower-income residents, especially those hoping to buy a home.

— Bilin Lin, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2026
The Beach Boys’ touring machine has been going nearly nonstop for the last 65 or so years, as Stamos and Christian Love noted in the intro, driven by Mike as one of pop music’s most inveterate and even seemingly compulsive tourers.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of even

Adverb

Rooms Splayed across the cliff front and dense, thrumming jungle at the southwestern tip of Bali, the 37 villas that make up the property as of 2026 are each completely unique in design, character and art.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders reacted by condemning the warrants as completely unjustified and a clear proof of the United Nations’ antisemitism.

— Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of completely

Adverb

At Helen, also downtown in a 1920s-era building, chef Rob McDaniel serves a menu almost entirely cooked over a grill that's inspired by his grandmother's open-fire cooking.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
Its moments of overstatement are entirely human, en route to a lighter, softer state of serenity.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of entirely

Adverb

That could align well with Freeling’s return-to-play process, as the rookie missed a bulk of Sunday’s game with a knee ailment and could be downright out for Week 6.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
Guests can choose from four- or seven-course tasting menus, or simply go à la carte—the starter of tuna, beetroot, and yuzu, followed by the handmade macaroni with Eritrea beef, are downright exceptional.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of downright

Adverb

Classes were totally or partially suspended on Tuesday at 891 schools, according to the Education Ministry.

— NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Us Weekly, which used to be a quasi-People magazine and very friendly, turned into something totally different and gossipy.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of totally

Adverb

There’s no winking at the audience, no sense of camp or parody, just a lot of appealing interactions, plus some wholly superfluous tertiary plots added to expand the story to series length.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Buck and Aikman made the leap from Fox in 2022, and while Bristol was nimble in hashing out a new deal with the lead mic, the color analyst’s contract is (obviously) a wholly separate issue.

— Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of wholly

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“Categorically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/categorically. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of categorically

adverb

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