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 Buck and Aikman made the leap from Fox in 2022, and while Bristol was nimble in hashing out a new deal with the lead mic, the color analyst’s contract is (obviously) a wholly separate issue. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Multifaceted and deeply mindful, the Healing Village Spa at this classic beachfront resort's treatments are wholly original and sublimely rejuvenating. — Kathryn Romeyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026 Crafted with shimmering elements throughout the sheer design, the dress was wholly ornate. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026 Zauner has described the new memoir as a wholly different writing experience from Crying in H Mart. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 17 Sep. 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
  • This is a major milestone for us, but honestly, that happened completely naturally and organically.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The screen is also a pleasure to read, both with the backlight and completely unlit under natural light, with text looking sharp and even grayscale renderings of color art showing plenty of detail.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of completely
Adverb
  • Every flashback sequence is fully animated, even though everything in the present is live-action.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Oct. 2026
  • It's also designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, a breakthrough that SpaceX believes will revolutionize spaceflight.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of fully
Adverb
  • After co-headlining with Charli xcx at the peak of Brat Summer, Sivan was struck by his post-show emotional crash, when the roar of stadiums gave way to the quiet of being totally on his own.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Because your husband should totally be your mentor, that’s a very healthy power dynamic!
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of totally
Adverb
  • The general trivia and straight clues are also tough, and there’s a good amount of novelty, including 11 debut entries, a few oddballs among them, and one utterly brutal misdirect that significantly spiced up my solving experience.
    — Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, a finish that left me utterly speechless on multiple different levels.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of utterly
Adverb
  • The press release probably didn’t need to also say the company imbued it with distinctive character or charm; that’s quite obvious from the design.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Nothing, however, has lived on quite like his appreciation for the mundane.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of quite
Adverb
  • Rising fuel costs, discontent with the state of schools, declining public services and a housing crisis have created perfectly stormy weather for an autumn of protests in Europe.
    — Teresa Medrano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
  • This process, which generates perfectly crystalline silicon ingots to be sliced like fragile metallic salamis into thin wafers, is entrusted largely to one firm in Taiwan and two in Japan.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfectly
Adverb
  • But this is an entirely different 5-0, as the Chiefs are now powered by a highly efficient offense and a capable defense.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • When opportunities arose to expand into other sporting goods, other mechanical components, other markets entirely, the answer was consistently no.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of entirely
Adverb
  • In the year 2026, college athletics are all about athlete empowerment and welfare—think, stratospheric compensation in the form of name, image and likeness.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Roan recently performed at Rodrigo’s Daisy Chain Fields Festival in late August as part of an all-female lineup that featured Doechii, Rachel Chinouriri, Garbage, the Breeders and more.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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