highly

adverb

high·​ly ˈhī-lē How to pronounce highly (audio)
Synonyms of highlynext
1
: in or to a high place, level, or rank
2
: in or to a high degree or amount
3
: with approval : favorably

Synonyms of highly

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Examples of highly in a Sentence

She is one of the most highly respected journalists in the country. though she didn't win, she was highly satisfied with her personal results for the marathon
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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.
To be sure, the path forward for interest rates remains highly uncertain. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 2 July 2026 Take the French brand Sessùn, for example, or Les Secrets de Loly, a highly specific hair care brand for curly hair. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 2 July 2026 The Brookings paper estimates a highly disruptive scenario could see 3 million more retirement-age people added to the population in 2036. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 July 2026 The pair divorced two years later, though Presley continued to speak highly of the relationship, especially after his 2009 death, and until her own in 2023. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for highly

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of highly was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing highly

Rhymes for highly

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Browse Nearby Words

high/low profile
highly
highly strung
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Cite this Entry

“Highly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highly. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

highly

adverb
high·​ly ˈhī-lē How to pronounce highly (audio)
1
: very entry 2 sense 1, extremely
highly pleased
2
: with approval
speaks highly of you

More from Merriam-Webster on highly

Nglish: Translation of highly for Spanish Speakers

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