WHOLLY Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

wholly

adverb

ˈhō(l)-lē

Definition of wholly

as in completely

to a full extent or degree not wholly convinced by the evidence that the prosecutor presented

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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 wholly Irving Stone’s Michelangelo novel, The Agony and the Ecstasy, introduced me to the idea of the artist, the miracle of a person bringing something wholly new and surprising into the world. — Literary Hub, 15 July 2026 In the final years of his life, Tana became determined to tell that story, working with writers in Serbia and eventually a ghostwriter, Todd Gold, who requested no credit; the resulting memoir feels wholly told in Tana’s voice. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026 There are three that are wholly original, they’re not based off of anything else. — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026 Liang’s views on how demographics connect to innovation and technological progress also aren’t wholly accepted by the academic community. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholly

Adverb

But just like all other houses in Collins First Nation, her home was completely destroyed by the fires.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Student-athletes may have to adjust to a new coach, a new culture, new expectations and sometimes a completely different philosophy.

— Timothy Baghurst, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Definition of completely

Adverb

The man behind the wheel overrode driver-assistance features and fully pressed the car’s accelerator, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

— Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
However, they are not banded, so their activity will not be fully tracked.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 July 2026

Definition of fully

Adverb

Telemundo isn’t totally new to his bar, which is a hotspot for loyal soccer fans.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
And typically, the extreme radiation around these stars totally strips the atmospheres from the planets orbiting them, so astronomers have wondered if planets orbiting these stars can have an atmosphere at all.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of totally

Adverb

If Vance now recognizes his comments as churlish, lacking in charity, and utterly unlikely to persuade voters, much less witness to the sublime truths of the Christian religion, good for him.

— Matthew Walther, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
But as yesterday’s race showed, the current F1 machinery is utterly ill-suited to this dramatic venue.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 20 July 2026

Definition of utterly

Adverb

The stakes for new avatar don’t feel quite as high—the specific circumstances around the former was a perfect storm that'll be tough to duplicate—but the music isn’t any less potent for it.

— Lawrence Burney, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
SpaceX tried to launch the Starship megarocket on its 13th test flight today but couldn't quite pull it off.

— Mike Wall, Space.com, 16 July 2026

Definition of quite

Adverb

But unlike the scramble to rescue coral babies a few years back, these corals were still perfectly healthy.

— Alex Harris July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Pushing up, squeezing play and trying to regain the ball in advanced positions is a perfectly viable and often successful strategy, particularly when treated as a useful add-on to quality in possession.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of perfectly

Adverb

Someone unfamiliar with salt bread might even suspect a major baking error, seeing a questionably smooth croissant that entirely missed the lamination process, adorned with only a few flecks of salt acting as its saving grace.

— Candy Hom, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
Cook the potato well—boiling, baking, or frying can help reduce some of the glycoalkaloids, though not entirely.

— Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026

Definition of entirely

Adverb

And if nothing else, the familiar voices all helped this Englishman get used to the portion sizes.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Since the brand expanded and opened operations in the city this year, autonomous all-electric Waymos have taken over Miami’s streets.

— Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

Definition of all

Browse Nearby Words

whole-souled

wholly

whomp

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“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholly. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of wholly

adverb

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