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 The usual players at Nobu Hotels are involved here, namely Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Naturally, the urban horticulturalist played by Andie MacDowell finds someone willing to marry her ASAP, namely a French man (Gérard Depardieu) whose visa is expiring. — Kelly Allen, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 Last week, Gia posted a TikTok lamenting the less glamorous side of WAG life, namely that roster moves keep taking all her friends away. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026 All of these warnings reinforce what a slew of recent academic studies have documented, namely that the UK’s legacy media has become something of a safe haven for transphobic voices. — Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for namely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for namely
  1. especially
  2. specifically
  3. specially
  4. to wit
Adverb
  • The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration—especially during the summer months, when the museum throws its popular experimental music parties called Warm Up.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • But anyone who’s yet to see the earlier series need not fret; while Seven Havens makes reference especially to Korra, any crucial details are reestablished within a narrative that’s set nearly two centuries later and stands largely on its own.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of especially
Adverb
  • Only the sixth turns it into an attachment bond specifically.
    — Pascal Vrticka, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2026
  • While the field-goal unit has mostly thrived, Evans has struggled with consistency, specifically directional placement of his kicks.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of specifically
Adverb
  • The second pathway is an $800,000 USD subscription to a new government bond being created specially for the program.
    — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • His private quarters include a bathtub specially built to accommodate the president's severe disabilities from polio, something that most Americans were unaware of.
    — John Ramos, CBS News, 6 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Namely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/namely. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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