DEFINITIVELY Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

definitively

adverb

Definition of definitively

as in clearly

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 definitively But earlier this week, May stunned fans by definitively stating he was done in an interview with The Times. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 However, that does not definitively mean there were no hurricanes. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 6 Oct. 2026 This story persists, even though the Plath scholar Janet Badia, in her foundational book Sylvia Plath and the Mythology of Women Readers, proved definitively that these protests never happened. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 Hill noted that neither the Supreme Court nor the 10th Circuit has yet definitively resolved the question, though most courts that have considered the issue have found that ALPR use does not constitute a search. — Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2026 Leave it to British art world iconoclast Damien Hirst to answer it definitively. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 3 Oct. 2026 The justices wrote seven separate opinions and did not definitively settle the First Amendment issues. — Susan Farrell, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026 The battle lines are drawn early and definitively in Jocelyn Bioh‘s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026 These were authentic—but, after so many generations of semi-random recombination, not all of the Hemings descendants had enough genetic overlap with Thomas to definitively rule out Randolph. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitively

Adverb

Problems emerge when those distinctive flavors don’t incorporate into the overall mix or too clearly smack of other artists’ sauce.

— Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
The key is helping prospective employers clearly see how those strengths translate to their current needs.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of clearly

Adverb

Studies have not conclusively shown, however, whether continuing a business within the family is clearly better or worse for its bottom line than having outsiders manage it.

— Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
The Indiana effort soon flamed out conclusively; a bloc of Republicans in the state Senate voted it down, holding firm even amid bomb threats and swatting attacks.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of conclusively

Adverb

Suffice it to say the mystery bullets that landed in Rate Field’s bleachers in 2023 and wounded two women definitely aren’t relevant to this feel-good story but are worth mentioning to remind us how much the Sox narrative has changed.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
And there’s definitely times when people discover something like ‘Chestnut Man’ from the Nordics or ‘Blood of Sacrifice’ from Sweden.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of definitely

Adverb

Tyson, a student of boxing history, surely would have appreciated a deeper discussion of the role of the Black heavyweight champion in culture.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of surely

Adverb

Still, the mere threat of a separatist agenda undoubtedly challenges Carney’s efforts to maintain a cohesive approach at a time when Canada needs to put its strongest foot forward.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 7 Oct. 2026
By contrast, a patient with dangerously low sodium levels requiring an ICU stay, frequent lab checks, and carefully titrated IV fluids undoubtedly does use more resources.

— Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of undoubtedly

Adverb

For 10 years now — actually, since around the time streaming decisively overtook people’s listening habits — these Beatles releases have made a pretty compelling case for the collectible physical object.

— Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Fierce fights whittled down 64 bands to one, but in the final round, the winning band won decisively in a 60-40 vote split.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of decisively

Adverb

As for why the driver has not been publicly identified, Barnes said police have positively identified him.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
That in-between space might hold the real reason many culture change initiatives never reach the people they are intended to positively affect.

— Gwen Mdinaradze, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of positively

Browse Nearby Words

definitive

definitively

definitiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Definitively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitively. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of definitively

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes