The authors state quite categorically that the female members of only a small number of species also sing.
Source: tatoeba (277699)
Categorically
/ˈkaʈ.ə.ɡə.rɪk.(ə.)li/
Synonyms for "categorically" (30 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (6)
Adverb(3 words)
Adverb(1 words)
Adjective(1 words)
conceptual category
Strong matches (9)
Adverb(4 words)
Adverb(1 words)
Related words (15)
Adverb(5 words)
Noun(3 words)
in election statisticsmore absolutemost decisive
Adverb(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: absolutely, certainly, clearly, completely, completely.
- Sentence evidence is available for categorically, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, derived_reverse, wiktionary, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "categorically".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "categorically"
Keep "categorically" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "categorically" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "categorically", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "categorically" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesadverbmanner adverb
More specific
5 entriesCollocations
6 entriescategorically denycategorically falsecategorically rejectcategorically statecategorically truemore categorically
Inflections
2 entriesmore categoricallymost categorically
Derivations
1 entriesTranslations
22 translations across 15 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- категорѝчно adv (In a categorical manner)
Catalan
1 entries- categòricament adv (In a categorical manner)
Dutch
1 entries- categorisch adv (In a categorical manner)
French
1 entries- catégoriquement adv (In a categorical manner)
Georgian
1 entries- კატეგორიულად adv (In a categorical manner)
Hungarian
1 entries- kategorikusan adv (In a categorical manner)
Italian
1 entries- categoricamente adv (In a categorical manner)
Japanese
4 entries- 例外無く adv (In a categorical manner)
- 漏れなく adv (In a categorical manner)
- 無条件に adv (In a categorical manner)
- 遍く adv (In a categorical manner)
Macedonian
1 entries- категорично adv (In a categorical manner)
Polish
1 entries- kategorycznie adv (In a categorical manner)
Portuguese
1 entries- categoricamente adv (In a categorical manner)
Russian
1 entries- категори́чески adv (In a categorical manner)
Spanish
4 entries- categóricamente adv (In a categorical manner)
- en redondo adv (In a categorical manner)
- rotundamente adv (In a categorical manner)
- tajantemente adv (In a categorical manner)
Swedish
1 entries- kategoriskt adv (In a categorical manner)
Ukrainian
1 entries- категори́чно adv (In a categorical manner)
Sample sentences
13 total sentences available.
I categorically refused.
Source: tatoeba (596780)
I am categorically opposed to the company declaring bankruptcy.
Source: tatoeba (4657495)
We cannot say categorically why the Russian jet crashed, but as more information has come to light we have become concerned that the plane may well have been brought down by an explosive device.
Source: tatoeba (4677937)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "categorically"?
Closest matches include absolutely, certainly, clearly, completely, completely.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "categorically"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.