wholly

adverb

ˈhō(l)-lē How to pronounce wholly (audio)
Definition of whollynext
as in completely
to a full extent or degree not wholly convinced by the evidence that the prosecutor presented

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 wholly Landing on the Moon is wholly tangential to the company’s near-term AI future, and fulfilling the contract will almost certainly be a net negative from a financial perspective. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 Related Articles The ensemble was wholly evocative of the type of wardrobe curated for Effie Trinket, played by Elizabeth Banks in the original adaptation of the popular young adult book series. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 Much of Modi’s comedy centers on differences between various kinds of Jews, a friction that elicits knowing laughters from his (largely, but not wholly) Jewish audience. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 The men who promoted the Red Scare would never accept anyone who was half Chinese as a wholly loyal American. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholly
  1. completely
  2. fully
  3. totally
  4. utterly
  5. quite
  6. perfectly
  7. entirely
  8. all
Adverb
  • The 15 mm-wide blade hidden within went completely through his right eye and through his brain, with the tip of the blade hitting the top of his skull.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Like Sir Stirling’s 300 SLR, the McLaren version is completely open with no windshield or side windows—only small glass wind deflectors for driver and passenger were added to deflect the bugs.
    — Howard Walker, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of completely
Adverb
  • Accessibility for those with mobility impairments There is wheelchair access in all of the public areas, including the spa and swimming pools, as well as two fully accessible rooms located in Building 2 (the central Bauhaus building).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Plus, people hosting small gatherings and those who don’t want to tackle a whole turkey can select smaller turkey breasts, or even fully prepared birds that just need to be warmed up.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of fully
Adverb
  • For Republicans, the flipping of the House chambers throws GOP leadership into uncertainty and means President Donald Trump‘s agenda in his final two years in power will likely be stymied if not totally derailed.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
  • And if a bedroom overhaul is in the cards, Saatva’s upholstered Halle storage platform bed offers a discreet place to stash extra bedding totally out of sight.
    — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of totally
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 nothing quite like it in Philadelphia—and yet the 18th-century historic space feels right at home in the neighborhood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • But this matchup didn’t quite live up to the hype after Doncic continued his early season dominance in the Lakers’ 138-117 win.
    — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Gigi Hadid broke out the trend in corduroy pants form, which is perfectly seasonal with soft and warm fabric paired with a relaxed design.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • On the long touchdown catch-and-run, Johnson and Mahomes worked it perfectly.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adverb
  • The streets of central Essen are narrow in the old way, but the buildings are almost entirely postwar.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Flood control and water management districts are funded almost entirely by property taxes.
    — Steve Geller, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of entirely
Adverb
  • By Friday, his interior minister, chief of staff, legal adviser and political adviser had all quit.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In Fallen Leaves Adult pests, larvae, and eggs can all hide out in old and fallen leaves that have dropped off deciduous plants, trees, and dead veggies.
    — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of all

Browse Nearby Words

whole-souled
wholly
whomp
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholly. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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