as in completely
to a full extent or degree
not wholly convinced by the evidence that the prosecutor presented
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Recent Examples of wholly
As the first round of the NFL Draft began in April, the face of the Jacksonville Jaguars was wholly unaware his team was preparing to steal the spotlight from the rest of the league.
—
Jeff Howe, New York Times, 24 July 2025
According to the hearing notice, the meeting will focus counties that fall wholly or partly within Congressional Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32, and 33, but testimony can be provided on any part of the state.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
This in itself makes a refreshing change from the usual baffling Marvel McGuffin, and even though the outcome is wholly predictable, there’s a definite frisson in the sight of The Herald’s liquid-metal hand trying to snatch Sue’s baby from the womb.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Fox Entertainment Studios will produce, with Fox Entertainment wholly owning the new series.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
Jeff Howe, New York Times, 24 July 2025
According to the hearing notice, the meeting will focus counties that fall wholly or partly within Congressional Districts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 32, and 33, but testimony can be provided on any part of the state.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
This in itself makes a refreshing change from the usual baffling Marvel McGuffin, and even though the outcome is wholly predictable, there’s a definite frisson in the sight of The Herald’s liquid-metal hand trying to snatch Sue’s baby from the womb.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Fox Entertainment Studios will produce, with Fox Entertainment wholly owning the new series.
—Joe Otterson, Variety, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wholly
Adverb
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Macdonald, who doubles as the defensive play caller, has said Woolen is an elite coverage player — when he’s fully focused.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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The yard art in Bisbee is rough around the edges and fully part of its landscape-sun-faded, dust-covered, alive with personality.—
Olivia Rose,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
Adverb
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Heckerling’s inventive, bespoke Valley Girl lingo is totally peerless.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 July 2025
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Cameron has confirmed that the third film will focus again on Sully, Neytiri, and their kids, who won’t have totally aged out of their roles thanks to Cameron filming Avatar: The Way of Water and its sequel simultaneously, beginning in 2017.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adverb
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Van Wessel captures how something can be at once utterly horrible, an emotional devastation for which no one is prepared, and also grimly routine.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
2 Aug. 2025
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After more than two years of civil war, the scale of obliteration was utterly tragic.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
30 July 2025
Adverb
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Weaver has also dealt with injuries this season and has not been quite as sharp.—
Aaliyan Mohammed,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Aug. 2025
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That’s actually worked out really well so far as the unlikely duo has gelled quite nicely and Flair is arguably more over as a babyface than she’s ever been.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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But how do Love Island producers seem to find a song that perfectly matches a moment on the show?—
Luke Chinman,
People.com,
29 July 2025
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Newcastle United had the summer window mapped out perfectly.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 July 2025
Adverb
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The farm also runs partly on solar power and processes olives entirely onsite, emphasizing freshness and control.—
Esha Chhabra,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Each of the cotton-linen blend blankets is entirely handcrafted by skilled artisans, and therefore so unique that no quilt is exactly the same.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 July 2025
Adverb
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Zayn Malik may have found fame in a boy band, but his daughter, Khai, is all about a certain girl group: BLACKPINK.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
28 July 2025
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Talk about what success means: So many young people think success is all about winning, says Dr. Lee.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
28 July 2025
Adverb
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The Dayton band, which rose to fame in the 1970s, filled its set with a variety of theatrics and gimmicks that left me thoroughly entertained.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
The Enquirer,
27 July 2025
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Stir together peanut butter, pepper jelly, and remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
26 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wholly. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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