explicitly

adverb

ex·​plic·​it·​ly ik-ˈspli-sət-lē How to pronounce explicitly (audio)
: in an explicit manner : clearly and without any vagueness or ambiguity
We were explicitly warned about what could happen.
The map shows explicitly where the fire alarms are located.
… did not know about the ferrying of weapons to the rebels, an activity explicitly forbidden by Congress.—Neil A. Lewis

Examples of explicitly 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.
Although there’s nothing explicitly internet-y about this EP, the digital is present as a background chorus. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026 Children’s Mercy didn’t explicitly lay the blame on a failure to expand Medicaid or the expiration of premium tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill. — Jack Harvel october 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026 The tech giant has already banned filters that explicitly promote cosmetic surgery, such as those overlaying pre-surgery marker lines onto skin. — Chloe Veltman, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 Cofer and other progressive groups are concerned that the contract’s language does not explicitly bar the Sheriff’s Office from cooperating with ICE, despite the sheriff’s statements that the agreement would not involve immigration enforcement. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for explicitly

Word History

Etymology

explicit + -ly entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of explicitly was circa 1657

Rhymes for explicitly

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Browse Nearby Words

explicit function
explicitly
explicitness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Explicitly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/explicitly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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