HIGHLY Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

highly

adverb

ˈhī-lē

Definition of highly

as in extremely

to a great degree though she didn't win, she was highly satisfied with her personal results for the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in greatly

to a large extent or degree that is highly different from your first idea for a family vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 highly It's been five months since the residents were forced to flee their homes after one of GKN's chemical tanks, which was holding highly flammable materials, overheated and was at risk of exploding. — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 According to Each Generation The brands listed in each category are the ones that each generation typed in the most and rated most highly. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 28 Oct. 2026 In September last year, the administration introduced a $100,000 fee for certain petitions under the H-1B program, which applies to highly skilled workers in specialty occupations. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026 Incinerator ash can be highly toxic and contain high concentrations of lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. — Yona Gavino, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for highly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for highly

Adverb

Today, however, plague is curable and extremely unlikely to blow up into a new pandemic, experts say.

— Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Nowhere was his balancing act viewed more extremely than with Ukraine.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

You will be greatly missed by a community that truly loved you and will continue to do so until the end of time.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, its democratic institutions have faced endless attacks by Netanyahu and his allies, who have proposed laws that would, among other things, greatly curtail the power of Israel’s courts.

— Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of greatly

Adverb

For example, because of their own home-buying timeline, a seller may need to close very quickly or may need more time than usual.

— Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
These songs are very evidently arranged, with ticklish, left-field grooves and tight pockets—never too tight for the persistent, puckish charm, the elbow-nudging glee.

— Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of very

Adverb

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Humanity has become an Earth-System force in the most utterly literal way—by moving a lot of earth.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of utterly

Adverb

There's no doubt that Riley Green's acoustic performances are incredibly popular.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
These teachers work with students who have an incredibly diverse set of needs, including those with autism, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, developmental delays and physical disabilities.

— Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of incredibly

Adverb

While the Bruins are maintaining the same championship standards as last year, the group tasked with meeting them looks considerably different than last season.

— Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The world of June Marple, the elderly amateur detective Christie featured in a dozen novels and 20 short stories, is considerably quainter.

— Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of considerably

Adverb

After a dance team audition goes terribly wrong, a group of girls at a Catholic high school start experiencing mysterious visions.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 26 Oct. 2026
That’s not terribly surprising given the two teams have clashed multiple times over the past 25 years of Xbox.

— Tom Warren, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of terribly

Adverb

After scoring just four points on six field-goal attempts in Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons, Adebayo was much more aggressive in looking for his own offense on Saturday.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
For the ultrawealthy, preparing children to inherit their fortunes is a long process that is much more than just transferring assets.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026