not necessarily
idiom
: possibly but not certainly
—used to say that something is not definitely true
Seats in the front row are not necessarily the best.
"We're going to lose this game." "Not necessarily."
Examples of not necessarily in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are 17 that are at various stages of negotiation, including 9 that have formally taken effect, although the administration claims the agreements do not necessarily need to be concluded for people to be sent there.
—
Stephen Groves, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Inclusion in the files does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
And there are others who've been able to do that as part of smaller communities, not necessarily part of the elite.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
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Stephen Groves, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
In these essays, our columnists follow their curiosity, and explore important but not necessarily answerable scientific questions.
—Quanta Magazine, 13 Feb. 2026
Inclusion in the files does not necessarily imply wrongdoing.
—Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
And there are others who've been able to do that as part of smaller communities, not necessarily part of the elite.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for not necessarily
Cite this Entry
“Not necessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20necessarily. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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