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

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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 Something extraordinary these episodes illustrate, in our view, is the vulnerability of America’s highly interconnected fresh-food supply chain, in which one grower or supplier problem can ripple astonishingly fast. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Pro Football Focus graded him highly in 116 snaps last season. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Most people in this situation would be highly stressed, especially if the perpetrator were in the room. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 That will allow students performing highly to work on advanced lessons, next-grade-level content and enrichment projects that are separate from typical grade-level lessons. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for highly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for highly

Adverb

Members of the search-and-rescue team who helped save the friends say the area is extremely treacherous and potentially dangerous even in daylight and perfect conditions.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
The Washington Capitals’ system is headlined by the highly creative Cole Hutson and the extremely competitive Ryan Leonard.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremely

Adverb

Both the United States, through the Apollo missions, and the Soviet Union delivered lunar samples to Earth more than 50 years ago, greatly shaping research on and understanding of the moon.

— Andrew Jones, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
The first proposal — Protecting Renters Ordinance (PRO) — introduced and backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson along with community advocates, would greatly improve the rights of those most vulnerable.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of greatly

Adverb

Anna’s sheer lace dress with a huge keyhole in the front and an open back is fine but also like a million other dresses; the same goes for Jude’s nicely constructed, but very familiar, black velvet dress with a corset.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
Quarterback Tommy DeVito looked to him on a go route on the very next play, but Williams didn’t cut back inside for the ball, which appeared to frustrate Vrabel on the sideline.

— Chad Graff, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of very

Adverb

Seattle’s pipeline is incredibly healthy, anchored by a top defense prospect in Chase Reid and a highly skilled pivot in Jake O’Brien.

— Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
The combination bristles feel amazing on my scalp (like the best head scratch ever) while also smoothing my incredibly frizzy hair.

— Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of incredibly

Adverb

Over the past three decades, total property tax levies in Cook County rose at roughly twice the pace of inflation and considerably more than average wages, according to research released in March by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Rishi Advanced Aesthetics, who says the clinician's role has evolved considerably, from simply recommending treatments to helping patients navigate an enormous amount of information and separate genuine innovation from marketing.

— Laia Farran Graves, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of considerably

Adverb

Fernandes says the north side of the park is much better than the south side because his team is working section by section to bring change, noting that a safe park is critical to the well-being of the people who live in the area.

— Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
And spreading out shots is not necessarily safer, because the diseases that vaccines prevent or make milder can have consequences that are much more serious than the fever or muscle soreness that can follow vaccination.

— Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026