definitively

adverb

Definition of definitivelynext
as in clearly

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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 definitively At the extreme upper end, the study found that a maximum possible prevalence of CTE — if researchers assumed that every former football player had CTE except for the 20 whose brains had definitively been cleared of a diagnosis — was around 97%. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 While the researchers can't definitively say why people made the changes, some of the edits are likely legitimate. — Sarah Jackson, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026 While scientists around the globe believe there's water ice on the moon, said Ye Peijian, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, no one has definitively found and fully evaluated that resource as yet. — Leonard David, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Lukas Nelson Willie’s son, Lukas Nelson, quit more definitively, swearing off weed and alcohol around 2023. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 Scientists can't say definitively at this point exactly which regions of the United States might be influenced by El Niño, however Texas is predicted to be wetter than normal and stormy due to El Niño, according to the Almanac. — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The king was not going to miss the chance to use his tremendous new trebuchet, nor the chance to very publicly and definitively (and also literally) crush the last of the Scottish opposition to his reign. — ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, told Ahram that further excavation and research is needed in order to definitively confirm the connection. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 17 Aug. 2026 There are no tests that can definitively confirm a diagnosis of PD, but your neurologist might order some tests. — Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for definitively
  1. clearly
  2. conclusively
  3. certainly
  4. definitely
  5. surely
  6. undoubtedly
  7. decisively
  8. positively
Adverb
  • Leo July 23 – August 22 An agreement needs to reflect your value clearly today.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Experts at the Hanoi summit said the responsibilities of PROs, along with capacity requirements and oversight mechanisms, must be clearly defined in EPR policy.
    — Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • The defense conclusively finished off a win, checking off one of the most important boxes of August with a Sharpie.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In late July, the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification confirmed a biological sibling match, allowing the medical examiner's office to conclusively identify her.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusively
Adverb
  • Horror fans will certainly want to check it out, especially during spooky season.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • This certainly won’t be the last discussion the Broward School Board has on Schools of Hope.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • If 6 million-plus Olympics tickets have already been sold, less than 5 million — but definitely still millions — are left.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Fewer than 1 in 10 respondents said each claim was definitely true.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • Future events will always weigh heavy on any prequel, but surely stories have a responsibility to better acknowledge that viewers know what's coming.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Whoever winds up playing Parton on Broadway surely has some enormous rhinestone boots to fill.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • Stott, before this, was undoubtedly the Phillies’ best defender in the infield.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Mendoza is undoubtedly going to be the Raiders starter at some point.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of undoubtedly
Adverb
  • And collectively, after decisively losing Wednesday’s practice, the Falcons delivered a much more competitive effort Thursday.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • City moved decisively to secure an agreement with Nottingham Forest for Anderson at the beginning of July.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of decisively
Adverb
  • Employees can answer the first question positively while simultaneously giving a negative response to the second.
    — John Radman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The drive didn’t start positively as the Willis’ first two passes fell to the ground.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of positively

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Cite this Entry

“Definitively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/definitively. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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