categorically

[ kat-i-gawr-ik-lee, -gor- ]

adverb

1. without exception; unconditionally; absolutely:

   Authorities have categorically denied that any violence took place.

   My colleagues didn't merely dislike the music, they categorically declared it wretched.

2. by means of or with respect to a category:

   If a child is not categorically eligible, the child may still qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on household income.

Other Words From

• non·cat·e·gor·i·cal·ly adverb
• un·cat·e·gor·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of categorically¹

categorical ( def ) + -ly

Example Sentences

The report also stated that the special teams coach initially denied to investigators that he made any inappropriate remarks about the LGBTQ community or marriage equality, and that he “categorically denied” making the “nuke” comment.

From Washington Post

When I relayed that the VA had categorically denied that nurses were being asked to ration PPE, or that there were shortages early on, she said she was done torturing herself.

From ProPublica

Tina Barton, the clerk, called McDaniel’s claim “categorically false” in a video that has been retweeted more than 10,000 times.

From Washington Post

McSally, who gets the ninth most money from oil and gas in the Senate, voted for the Great American Outdoors Act and helped lead the Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan, but she’s been categorically bad on public-land protection and pollution.

From Outside Online

Now, the police budget itself is at the center of an accelerating conversation on criminal justice, in which politicians are embracing formerly controversial ideas, and advocates are forcing categorically new ideas onto the table.

From Voice of San Diego

Olga was on guard as always, and categorically refused to open the door unless the police produced a warrant.

From The Daily Beast

“The Americans never understood who they were fighting,” Zalwar Khan states categorically.

From The Daily Beast

DeMaio categorically denied the accusations, calling Bosnich "clearly troubled."

From The Daily Beast

Walker, who is running for reelection, has not been charged, and has called the allegations “categorically false.”

From The Daily Beast

This story is categorically different from cases where men accused of rape are swearing up and down it was consensual sex.

From The Daily Beast

She asked me categorically to give up Effie, and I, full of fresh and glowing memories, absolutely refused.

From Project Gutenberg

In a speech at Columbus, O, Lincoln answered the "copy-right essay" categorically.

From Project Gutenberg

I expected all these questions in about that order, and answered them categorically.

From Project Gutenberg

"I will be here tomorrow evening at this hour," he categorically announced.

From Project Gutenberg

Article 56 of the Hague Regulations enacts categorically that "all seizure" of such works and monuments is prohibited.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absolutely
• actually
• certainly
• easily
• genuinely
• honestly
• indeed
• legitimately
• literally
• surely
• truly
• undoubtedly
• unquestionably
• well