otherwise

adverb

Definition of otherwisenext
as in else
in a different way the candidate was gracious in his defeat, though he clearly wished the election had gone otherwise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of otherwise The Round of 16 otherwise concludes Tuesday, with the quarter-finals set to begin Thursday. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026 On a recent Trilith Studios tour in Fayetteville, the trolley drove outside the studio gates into an otherwise unremarkable open field filled with tall grass and wildflowers. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 Such decisions are final and not subject to appeal, unless otherwise stipulated in the FIFA Disciplinary Code. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 El Niño is expected to prolong an existing unrelated marine heat wave that would otherwise typically start fading between October and December, scientists say. — Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for otherwise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for otherwise
  1. else
  2. differently
Adverb
  • So business owners, fans and everyone else in between are trying to get in on the action.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Like everyone else on this sweltering day, Marc Pina was searching for cold beverages in the Fan Zone.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
Definition of else
Adverb
  • Put differently, the question is not simply how many people exist.
    — Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Panicked shoppers started looking at their backyards differently.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of differently

Browse Nearby Words

other than
otherwise
other woman
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Otherwise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/otherwise. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on otherwise

Nglish: Translation of otherwise for Spanish Speakers

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