word for word

adverb

Definition of word for wordnext
as in directly
in the same words you don't have to record the professor's comments word for word in your notes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 word for word Not a word for word quote, so don’t quote Margaret. — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 The lawsuit goes on to include examples of responses from OpenAI’s models side by side with Britannica’s text, in which entire passages appear to match word for word. — Stevie Bonifield, The Verge, 16 Mar. 2026 That narrative appears word for word in both arrest reports — for a Venezuelan man and a Mexican man. — Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 4 Feb. 2026 The same sentiment is expressed by someone else, word for word, in one of the Nextdoor threads about Desi. — Michael Benanav, Christian Science Monitor, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for word for word
Recent Examples of Synonyms for word for word
  1. directly
  2. accurately
Adverb
  • When the state failed to secure bids, municipalities had to seek emergency supplies or contact salt mines directly.
    — Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Reporting the issue directly helps our teams assess the situation and coordinate an appropriate response.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of directly
Adverb
  • Due to a lack of reliable data and the regime’s complete control of the media, accurately assessing what is happening on the ground in North Korea is notoriously difficult, said WioNews.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In a test call, the bot accurately generated action items and gauged the sentiment as neutral (and not requiring immediate action).
    — John Brandon, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of accurately

Browse Nearby Words

worded
word for word
wordily
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Word for word.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/word%20for%20word. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of devolve

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Why do we say 'break a leg'?

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All