definitively

adverb

Definition of definitivelynext
as in clearly

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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 definitively Rookie right-hander Trevor McDonald will definitively miss the remainder of this season and then some, electing to undergo UCL reconstruction surgery that could cost him the entire 2027 season. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 29 July 2026 July 7 is the day that the administration restarted strikes against Iran, acknowledging that the April cease-fire had definitively failed. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 27 July 2026 Neither Gausman nor Scherzer’s approach is definitively correct. — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 25 July 2026 What the team still can’t definitively say is whether sperm whales blow bubbles in their sleep consciously or unconsciously. — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 23 July 2026 On cross-examination, defense attorney Blair Berk prodded Wallace to admit that her chemical analysis — done months after prosecutors believe Burke turned his garage into an abattoir — did not definitively prove the presence of blood. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 No, Taylor Farms has not been definitively proven to be the source of the outbreak, but it also hasn't been proven not to be. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 July 2026 The title definitively places this generation among the pantheon of world soccer, capping off a brilliant era following the 2024 European Championship. — Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026 Health officials have not yet definitively identified what is causing the infections. — Mike Stobbe, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitively
  1. clearly
  2. conclusively
  3. certainly
  4. definitely
  5. surely
  6. undoubtedly
  7. decisively
  8. positively
Adverb
  • The planet showed a sharp gibbous disk phase, clearly visible even at moderate power.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Blasi is clearly in form and showed it Tuesday, begging the question whether this may force her team to let her race for a stage.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her recovery, while the FBI has added a $100,000 reward for information that conclusively advances the investigation.
    — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026
  • At the time, there was not enough evidence to conclusively identify the victim—until two years ago, when the CCSO began working with the Oregon Cold Case Collective (OC3) to use genealogy to finally crack the cold case.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
Definition of conclusively
Adverb
  • Jackson was certainly excited about that after being stepped on during an early part of 2025 training camp caused him to a miss a significant chunk of time.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Emma, on the other hand, certainly knows what that role is — now grown up and a mom herself.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Snorkeling is definitely out—the deadly air notwithstanding—but perhaps walking along the bottom of a methane lake would be a fun diversion.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 31 July 2026
  • The game definitely has more than a little cell-stage Spore in it.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • Gavin John Slowly but surely, every building in Fort Albany saw a strand of fiber drop from overhead and come through a box drilled into the wall, ready to connect to a router.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026
  • Trump would surely claim that the statute of limitations on his criminal charges has expired.
    — Chris Brennan, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • This will undoubtedly start with a Peter/Miles crossover film in some capacity, before Miles and Peter both start making their own movies.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The crown jewel of Lady Kitty Spencer’s bridal wardrobe was undoubtedly her ceremony dress.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of undoubtedly
Adverb
  • Moscow’s ability to decisively breach the Ukrainian frontline is increasingly in doubt.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • By that time, the economics of teams and leagues had decisively changed.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of decisively
Adverb
  • All told, the Falcons made it through the first week of training camp with no major injuries and several other players trending positively in their recoveries.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders need to remember how the workplace impacts people emotionally and lead accordingly - positively influencing their storied experience.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of positively

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Cite this Entry

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

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