namely

adverb

ˈnām-lē How to pronounce namely (audio)
Definition of namelynext
as in especially
that is to say there's always one person stuck with cleaning up the mess, namely me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 namely When looking under the hood at some of its biggest components, many of the charts looked great from a risk/reward perspective, namely, CVS Health Corp . — Jay Woods, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026 The difference is that the Fizz has no ice, because the Fizz has somewhere to be—namely, inside of you, as quickly as possible. — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026 The end of saving money and raising middle-class wages justifies the means, namely, the destruction of immigrant families. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 There’s also concern that AI’s demand for these minerals put it in direct competition with sectors that are critical for reducing planet heating pollution, namely wind and solar energy. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for namely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for namely
  1. especially
  2. specifically
  3. specially
  4. to wit
Adverb
  • Indeed, the chance to watch Tom Skerritt for the full length of a feature film, especially nowadays, feels like a rare gift.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The effect is especially disconcerting as this father and daughter navigate glad-handers and former Nazi collaborators in West Germany who are anxious to bury the past.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of especially
Adverb
  • In August, the health board designated a $250,000 fund for rat abatement — so far the only public money in Idaho specifically earmarked to combat the nuisance.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The measure specifically exempts pensions and most individual retirement accounts from the tax, with the exception of Roth IRA and other Roth-type accounts worth $10 million or more — a balance compiled almost exclusively by the 1%.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifically
Adverb
  • Ever the showman, Musk also seemed to presage the merger last week with the unveiling of Tesla’s new superfast Roadster, which has yet to be released but was specially outfitted with SpaceX booster rockets to perform flips in midair on a livestream.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The ones that stored his massive archive were specially ordered, his name stenciled on the outside.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of specially
Adverb
  • The former is named for the patron saint of cooks and celebrates coastal Italian fare with a New Orleans tweak, to wit Chef Laura Collins’ Grilled Creole Oysters and Scampi Risotto.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Solo shows are everywhere, for obvious economic reasons, but now, in more than a few of these pieces, there’s another element in play for their creators — to wit, their streaming future.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of to wit

Browse Nearby Words

namelessness
namely
name of the game
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Cite this Entry

“Namely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/namely. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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