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
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
Some are as reliable as Old Faithful; others pose challenges for owners not wholly committed to their care and feeding.
—
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the things Hardy does best — one of the things that made his performance in the Venom films so much better than the Venom films themselves — is play a man who isn’t wholly comfortable in his own skin and always seems on the verge of ripping off his own flesh to reveal what’s underneath.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
When tried in a permanent midfield role, whether for Liverpool or England, Alexander-Arnold has never looked wholly comfortable starting his play from a central position and finishing it there.
—James Nalton, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Along the way, Nancy and Dave dig up something wholly unexpected that puts a damper on their enjoying Holland’s Tulip Time parade.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
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Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2025
One of the things Hardy does best — one of the things that made his performance in the Venom films so much better than the Venom films themselves — is play a man who isn’t wholly comfortable in his own skin and always seems on the verge of ripping off his own flesh to reveal what’s underneath.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
When tried in a permanent midfield role, whether for Liverpool or England, Alexander-Arnold has never looked wholly comfortable starting his play from a central position and finishing it there.
—James Nalton, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Along the way, Nancy and Dave dig up something wholly unexpected that puts a damper on their enjoying Holland’s Tulip Time parade.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wholly
Cite this Entry
“Wholly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wholly. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wholly
adverb
whol·ly
ˈhōl-(l)ē 
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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