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Definitions

categorically

[kat-i-gawr-ik-lee, -gor-] / ˌkæt ɪˈgɔr ɪk li, -ˈgɒr- /
ADVERB
absolutely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
actually definitely doubtless exactly positively precisely really surely truly unconditionally unquestionably
WEAK
come hell or high water conclusively decidedly decisively easily for sure no ifs ands or buts no strings attached on the button on the money on the nose right on straight out sure as can be sure as hell sure enough the very thing unambiguously
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully dubiously questionably uncertain
WEAK
doubtfully
ADVERB
beyond a shadow of a doubt
Synonyms
WEAK
absolutely beyond a doubt beyond any doubt beyond doubt certainly clearly definitely indubitably no ifs ands or buts about it obviously undeniably unquestionably
ADVERB
definitely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely clearly decidedly doubtless easily finally obviously plainly surely undeniably unequivocally unquestionably
WEAK
beyond any doubt doubtlessly explicitly expressly far and away indubitably no ifs ands or buts about it positively specifically unmistakably without doubt without fail without question
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtedly doubtfully dubiously questionable questionably uncertain
WEAK
indefinitely
ADVERB
expressly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
explicitly plainly pointedly specifically unequivocally unmistakably
WEAK
absolutely clearly decidedly directly distinctly in no uncertain terms manifestly outright positively
Antonyms
WEAK
ambiguously
ADVERB
flatly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely emphatically firmly unequivocally
STRONG
unconditionally
WEAK
definitely exactly flat positively precisely undoubtedly
ADVERB
genuinely
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely actually authentically certainly fairly honestly indeed
WEAK
admittedly as a matter of fact assuredly beyond doubt de facto easily for fair in actuality in effect in fact in point of fact in reality indub
ADVERB
positively
Synonyms
STRONGEST
certainly easily emphatically firmly undoubtedly
WEAK
amen assuredly doubtless doubtlessly flat flat out for a fact indubitably no catch no holds barred no ifs ands or buts no kicker no strings attached on the money on the nose really truly right on sure surely the ticket to a tee undeniably unequivocally unmistakably unquestionably with certainty without qualification
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully questionably
ADVERB
really
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolutely actually certainly easily genuinely honestly indeed legitimately literally surely truly undoubtedly unquestionably well
WEAK
admittedly as a matter of fact assuredly authentically beyond doubt de facto for real in actuality in effect in fact in point of fact in reality indubitably no ifs ands or buts nothing else but of course positively precisely unmistakably verily
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtfully dubiously indefinite questionably
ADVERB
specifically
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clearly correctly definitely especially exactly explicitly individually pointedly precisely respectively specially
WEAK
accurately characteristically concretely distinctively in detail in specie indicatively minutely peculiarly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
inaccurately indefinitely questionably
WEAK
broadly generally
ADVERB
unconditionally
Synonyms
STRONGEST
completely thoroughly
STRONG
flatly
WEAK
unqualifiedly unreservedly
ADVERB
verily
Synonyms
WEAK
absolutely actually admittedly as a matter of fact assuredly authentically beyond doubt certainly de facto easily fairly for fair for real genuinely honestly in actuality in effect in fact in point of fact in reality indeed indubitably legitimately literally no ifs ands or buts nothing else but of course positively precisely surely truly truthfully undoubtedly unmistakably unquestionably well

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The lawsuit claims The Atlantic went ahead with their story “despite being expressly warned, hours before publication, that the central allegations were categorically false” and “despite having abundant publicly available information contradicting those allegations.”

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in New Orleans ruled “geofence warrants are general warrants categorically prohibited by the 4th Amendment.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

I had to accept that it’s an unusual voice to listen to, and that it is categorically harder to make myself heard.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

"As Sentebale’s co-founder and a founding trustee, they categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims," a spokesperson for the pair said in a statement.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

He said to Dalgard that he felt strongly that it was simian fever, but he was reluctant to say so categorically.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

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