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 With no military, Iceland is wholly dependent on that promise. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Aug. 2026 Within the oeuvre of the Muppets’ cinematic and televisual work, Miss Piggy hasn’t ever wholly been a punch line — her image is too dexterous for that. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 As rookies in 2022, Mike LaFleur was a first-time play caller from the Kyle Shanahan tree devoted wholly to his scheme. — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The definition excludes organizations that are an institutional part of a foreign government or wholly operated under a foreign government's direction. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholly

Adverb

The superconductivity weakened with the screening and was eventually completely suppressed.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
While Barrett suggests a whole world of lore that goes unexplored, the film’s climax is completely missing in action.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of completely

Adverb

Tech in a totally different world Spears’ MTV performance was also one of the first set-designing jobs led by Ray Winkler, the CEO and design director of STUFISH Entertainment Architects.

— Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
How the Phillies then scored six runs in, like, the next 38 seconds is both totally wacky and totally on brand.

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of totally

Adverb

This powerful dream sequence shows Sarah and the rest of Los Angeles utterly annihilated by a nuclear blast.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Fast-forward to today, and the brand’s shampoos, conditioners, hair oils, hair masks, and more are flying off the shelf—while the bond-repairing-product business is utterly booming.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of utterly

Adverb

If your lawn grass was already quite thin, topdressing with a thin layer of quality topsoil is recommended.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
As a shocking chart by the Wall Street Journal illustrates, the amount of capital spent on non-data center construction in the US has quite literally fallen off a cliff, while the capital deployed to build data centers soars into the stratosphere.

— Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of quite

Adverb

The table then stows away, and the bench cushions rearrange to create a side-facing love seat positioned perfectly for viewing the drop-down projection screen just above the entryway.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
On the plus side, Ritchson and Wilson display a winning chemistry, their contrasting physicality and acting styles working perfectly for their characters.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of perfectly

Adverb

Returning raiding parties had to hand over their Thompson sub-machine guns to the outgoing lot and the usual backup sidearms were missing entirely.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Hasty said the leaders doing the hardest, smartest work often get missed entirely, because their skill shows up in decision quality, not the final score.

— Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of entirely

Adverb

Except isn’t that what college football is all about in September?

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
In those 53 seasons, how many games did STATS find featuring 10 runs (at least four by each team), eight walks (at least three by each team) and a lead change — all after an uneventful, run-free, first two outs in the top of the ninth?

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of wholly

adverb

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