otherwise

adverb

Definition of otherwisenext
as in else
in a different way the candidate was gracious in his defeat, though he clearly wished the election had gone otherwise

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 otherwise For a look fit for fashion month or the boardroom, take a cue from this showgoer and finish with a crisp white button-up, a drawstring leather pouch, and sculptural jewels that lend an edge to the otherwise classic ensemble. — Laura Jackson, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026 But otherwise, today’s Win Column is an Atlanta-Dream-in-the-Finals edition. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The clinic is designed for people who may otherwise struggle to access or afford care, with services provided at no cost. — Jessica Riley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 What would otherwise be an epic hike has purpose—to help care for the herd—and also adds a human connection to this otherworldly landscape. — Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for otherwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for otherwise
  1. else
  2. differently
Adverb
  • Personal legal responsibility focuses minds on safety, builds public trust and helps ensure that the race among AI leaders to come out on top doesn’t come at everyone else’s expense.
    — Giorgos Tsetis, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For a blueprint, Johnson points to a handful of NBA stars who have mastered the art of seeing the game unfold a step or two ahead of everyone else — Draymond Green, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and, yes, former Spurs great Tim Duncan.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of else
Adverb
  • What Art of Play could have done differently Paul Fombelle, an associate professor of marketing at Northeastern University’s D’Amore-McKim School of Business, told Fortune that the encounter may have been a genuine misunderstanding.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • One agency may require an additional review before advancing an environmental decision, while another may interpret a reevaluation trigger differently depending on how similar cases have been handled in the past.
    — Balaji Sreenivasan, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of differently

Browse Nearby Words

other than
otherwise
other woman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Otherwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otherwise. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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