verbally

adverb

ver·​bal·​ly ˈvər-bə-lē 

1

a

: in words : through or by the use of words

Yet it seems whenever somebody writes about him, Sheen gets verbally slugged for not driving around in some beat-up old Chevy.

—Hal Rubenstein

In Chapter 1 … Burge explains verbally, formally, and symbolically the system of notations to be used in the book.

—Datamation

b

: in spoken rather than written words

In the centuries before the Magna Carta, agreements were made and kept verbally.

—Janeen R. Adil

… John's will was not a written will. It was a nuncupative will, which means on his deathbed, John verbally told persons how he wanted his estate divided or dispensed.

—Sharon Tate Moody

… is intended to express, whether verbally or in writing, or in any other way, the real process of thought.

—Trewin Copplestone

Although some prospects arrive at these football factories verbally committed to a college, most are still free agents.

—Bruce Feldman

c

: with regard to words or language

Lessing has never been an elegant writer. At her better and best, she is cranky, … pleonastic, defensive, and verbally self-indulgent.

—Susan Lardner

Some toddlers walk early and talk late; others are verbally precocious but happily creep and crawl until the middle of the second year.

—Susan Ochshorn

2

: as a verb

a noun being used verbally

Examples of verbally in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

During the tantrum, the child verbally abuses the parent and also destroys property within the home. —Samantha Mann, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025

California’s leader and the president have sparred verbally in the past and Newsom was floated as a potential rival candidate for the presidency last year; most recently, Trump has slammed Newsom and others after the wildfires this month. —Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Jan. 2025

Chelsea have verbally agreed a deal to send Renato Veiga on loan to Juventus. —Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

Rolled His Eyes The GA had reminded all passengers in the exit row that they were required to verbally confirm their willingness to assist in an emergency. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1b