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toughly

adverb

Definition of toughlynext
as in strongly

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toughly
  1. strongly
  2. aggressively
  3. firmly
  4. resolutely
  5. assertively
  6. determinedly
  7. grimly
  8. decidedly
Adverb
  • Much of the general public, however, hasn’t caught up to these developments, which remain strongly discouraged and criticized by the abstinence support group space — especially proponents of AA.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The afflicted can feel very strongly about them, strongly believe them, even though there is no convincing reason for holding that thought.
    — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of strongly
Adverb
  • Kyiv hails the vote as vital political backing after months of lobbying, but the sanctions’ real impact hinges on how aggressively Washington enforces the new powers at home and abroad.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Always game to play the unhinged or aggressively unlikeable, Bad Thoughts‘ Segura takes on the role of Chuck.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of aggressively
Adverb
  • Variety takes a look at how 10 companies are taming the AI beast with specific use cases that creatives can get behind in a way that keeps them firmly in control and respects copyrights.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Throughout DeSantis’ time in office, Florida itself has changed, shifting from a competitive battleground state to one that is now firmly Republican.
    — Zoe Millán, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of firmly
Adverb
  • In fact, Mickes and Wixted have found that, in many exoneration cases, a witness resolutely identified a person in court despite having dithered and debated during the initial photo lineup.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Downstairs remains resolutely public — and arguably more interesting.
    — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolutely
Adverb
  • Sinner expects a lack of rhythm and for Zverev to put their past aside and come out assertively.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • After sitting a bit on the sidelines in the early days of the generative AI boom, risk-adverse finance departments are more assertively using these tools, with 75% reporting using AI compared to just 30% two years ago.
    — John Kell, Fortune, 20 May 2026
Definition of assertively
Adverb
  • Blue-collar Ho-seok (Sul), a man traumatized by losing his factory job after a workers’ strike, lives a quiet life with his determinedly optimistic wife, Mi-ok (Jeon).
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The few street names in Happy Haven were determinedly upbeat, with Christian undertones.
    — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
Definition of determinedly
Adverb
  • The flooding in Nepal is yet another calamity for a country grimly accustomed to crisis and upheaval.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Gun purchases made in response to events have been shown, grimly, to lead to still more accidental gun deaths.
    — Vishal R. Patel, Time, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of grimly
Adverb
  • Native Americans smoking peyote in ceremony, the CIA experimenting with LSD — tripping was seen as decidedly fringe.
    — Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The difference is that Alex, the latest creation of actor and writer Sharon Horgan, is freshly 50 — decidedly not the age of your average rom-com lead.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of decidedly
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.

Browse Nearby Words

tough it out
toughly
tough-minded
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Cite this Entry

“Toughly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toughly. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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