wholly

adverb

whol·​ly ˈhō(l)-lē How to pronounce wholly (audio)
Synonyms of wholly
1
: to the full or entire extent : completely
a wholly owned subsidiary
2
: to the exclusion of other things : solely
a book dealing wholly with herbs

Synonyms of wholly

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Examples of wholly in a Sentence

She is wholly devoted to her children. An infant is wholly dependent on its mother. The claim is wholly without merit.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Where else would an internationally prestigious hotel group—born of Nobu Matsuhisa’s passion for gastronomy and wholly connected to the world of film thanks to De Niro—settle down? — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026 One vital part of opening our heart to such insights into God’s nature and our wholly spiritual expression of Him is engaging with the Bible and the textbook of Christian Science, Science and Health. — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026 Acting on a risk assessment before that risk has materialized requires political willpower; just having better data, or even better analyses, doesn’t wholly solve that problem. — Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 By betting big bucks on a franchise so recognizable, Netflix could have less to spend on wholly original content. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hoolly, from hool whole

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wholly was in the 14th century

Rhymes for wholly

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Browse Nearby Words

wholistic
wholly
whom
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Cite this Entry

“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wholly. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wholly

adverb
whol·​ly ˈhōl-(l)ē How to pronounce wholly (audio)
1
: to the full or entire extent : completely
a wholly different view
2
: to the exclusion of other things : solely
a book devoted wholly to sports cars

More from Merriam-Webster on wholly

Nglish: Translation of wholly for Spanish Speakers

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