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 While not definitively attributing this to AI, researchers note the pattern's persistence despite controlling for other economic factors. — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The amount of data that can be definitively known about your life is huge. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Officials could not definitively determine whether Colt made the threat. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 The precise origins of the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic have not been definitively nailed down — drawing years of debate among medical experts and intelligence officials. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Tuesday’s vote was rejected by a similar margin as the 2022 amendment, with Kansas City-area population centers definitively rejecting the ballot measure while western Kansas voters were more divided. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Randomized studies More often, your question of interest might not have been answered definitively yet in the medical literature. — Lucy McGowan, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026 The soft ending plants the suggestion that David’s entanglement with Sara might not be definitively over. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026 But whether all that stress actually gets released during a big quake is not definitively known. — Rong-Gong Lin Ii Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 2 Aug. 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 first two episodes of this season served as a kind of warm-up, catching us up with Ted and introducing us to the new team, but that’s clearly over.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Arteta is clearly skilled at fostering a sense of togetherness and unity among the squad.
    — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • In late July, the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification confirmed a biological sibling match, allowing the medical examiner's office to conclusively identify her.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Astronomers have caught glimpses of this elusive phenomenon before, but not conclusively.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusively
Adverb
  • Scheffler certainly hasn't struggled to find consistency this season.
    — Tim Corlett, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Things have certainly gone up a level, too, with her new punky cropped haircut.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • But keeping their promotion rivals at bay most definitely was, Parkinson’s men conceding 24 times in those dozen games, 16 of which came on Welsh soil.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Blanco Gran Reserva Ask any collector about Spanish wines and the name Faustino will definitely come up in the conversation.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • But with fewer midweek fixtures this season due to their failure to qualify for European football, Alonso’s setup is surely going to adapt depending on the opponents anyway.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Even the useless adults of The Shards would surely act quickly to arrest Robert with this much evidence.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • The highlight of your weekend will undoubtedly be horseback riding through groves of oaks up to the pancake breakfast.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Some importing countries will undoubtedly see the disruption as a reason to reduce their dependence on oil, but many may draw the opposite lesson.
    — Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of undoubtedly
Adverb
  • In 2024, the Fed acted decisively to get ahead of a weakening in the labor market, delivering a bold, half-point rate cut.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Even so, the final stages of the race in Wisconsin this week offered some clarity about why neither part of the Democratic Party has yet been able to decisively beat the other.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisively
Adverb
  • Kopple’s Hamptons—even with its endless velvet ropes and parties and Jacuzzis—is positively quaint in comparison.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Yet, last year an NBC poll found that only18% of Americans viewed socialism positively.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 2026.

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