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 Word Forms

• noncategorically adverb
• uncategorically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of categorically¹

categorical ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

But both men categorically deny knowingly spying for China.

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"This is, to the best of my knowledge, categorically untrue," he said.

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A recent United Nations commission of inquiry report found that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, although Israel's foreign ministry said it categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as "distorted and false".

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Four months ago, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied that agents were engaged in racial profiling, calling claims of people being targeted because of skin color “disgusting and categorically FALSE.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Israel has categorically rejected the report, denouncing it as "distorted and false".

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Related Words

• absolutely 
• actually 
• certainly 
• easily 
• genuinely 
• honestly 
• indeed 
• legitimately www.thesaurus.com
• literally 
• surely 
• truly 
• undoubtedly 
• unquestionably 
• well