wholly

adverb

whol·​ly ˈhō(l)-lē How to pronounce wholly (audio)
Synonyms of wholly
1
: to the full or entire extent : completely
a wholly owned subsidiary
2
: to the exclusion of other things : solely
a book dealing wholly with herbs

Synonyms of wholly

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Examples of wholly in a Sentence

She is wholly devoted to her children. An infant is wholly dependent on its mother. The claim is wholly without merit.
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.
Much of Modi’s comedy centers on differences between various kinds of Jews, a friction that elicits knowing laughters from his (largely, but not wholly) Jewish audience. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026 The men who promoted the Red Scare would never accept anyone who was half Chinese as a wholly loyal American. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 This helps the lifestyle sneaker stand out from other low-profile models on the market, fusing multiple eras for a look that is wholly new. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 Ahead of the movie’s release, the marketing team behind Wicker (which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past January) has already worked audiences into a froth by presenting it as a wholly horny and weird fairy-tale fantasia. — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wholly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hoolly, from hool whole

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of wholly was in the 14th century

Rhymes for wholly

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Browse Nearby Words

wholistic
wholly
whom
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Cite this Entry

“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wholly. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

wholly

adverb
whol·​ly ˈhōl-(l)ē How to pronounce wholly (audio)
1
: to the full or entire extent : completely
a wholly different view
2
: to the exclusion of other things : solely
a book devoted wholly to sports cars
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