thoroughly

adverb

thor·​ough·​ly ˈthər-(ˌ)ō-lē 

 sometimes  ˈthȯr-;

ˈthə-(ˌ)rō-

: in a complete or thorough manner

Police thoroughly searched the crime scene for clues.

Bats are extremely tidy: they comb themselves thoroughly, and don't gather a mess of nesting materials for their homes, as birds do.

—Diane Ackerman

: to a complete or thorough extent

We were thoroughly satisfied with the service we received.

thoroughly disgusted/delighted

By taking all the tricks in the game, one defeats the opponent so thoroughly that he may be disconcerted …

—Craig M. Carver

Synonyms

• completely
• comprehensively
• detailedly
• exhaustively
• fully
• inside out
• minutely
• roundly
• sweepingly
• systematically
• through and through
• totally

Examples of thoroughly in a Sentence

they researched the issue thoroughly before deciding how to vote

I am thoroughly satisfied with her explanation of the events of that evening

Recent Examples on the Web

Pour mixture over cooled pasta, and toss to combine thoroughly. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 9 May 2024

Cue this thoroughly entertaining oral history from the cast and crew, which featured more on-the-rise actors than any movie since The Outsiders. —Peter Rubin, Longreads, 9 May 2024

Health authorities emphasize the importance of thoroughly washing your hands after using the bathroom, changing a child’s diaper, or handling a cat’s litter box. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 8 May 2024

Then immediately throw out the bird, mask and gloves, and thoroughly wash your hands. —Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 8 May 2024

Experts said that there's little risk of contracting bird flu through food but advise taking proper precautions, such as cooking products thoroughly. —Amber Sayer, Health, 8 May 2024

Begin by thoroughly washing the affected area with soap and water to remove any beetle residue and reduce the risk of further exposure to the toxic substance. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024

Second, could the average person apply neomycin deeply and thoroughly enough for meaningful protection? —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 26 Apr. 2024

Add bourbon: Add the spirits to the ice, and stir to thoroughly mix the bourbon and chill it rapidly. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above