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
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.
That means the Tigers have not necessarily been blooped to death. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 31 July 2025 However, that may not necessarily pass in time for the midterms. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025 This deeply felt film, directed by Roger Mitchell, has a beautiful performance by Amanda Root as Anne, unsure of her world but not necessarily intimidated. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025 To win voters that way is not necessarily to hold them. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for not necessarily

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Not necessarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/not%20necessarily. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!