clinically

American  

[kli-nik-lee] / ˈklɪ nɪk li /

adverb

1. in a clinical way.

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Explanation

When a medication has been clinically proven, it's been tested on actual patients. Clinically can also describe a cold and detached manner, a personality better suited to robots than people. It's a good thing when doctors and scientists do things clinically, because they're not only using studies and statistics to make decisions — they're talking to and observing patients. On the other hand, when a doctor treats you clinically at your yearly appointment, she is efficient but aloof, rather than warm and welcoming. Clinically is from clinical, from the Latin clinicus, "physician who visits patients in their beds," with the Greek root klinike, "at the sickbed."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clinically

In 150 years of discovery, no drug has been clinically proven to extend life, he said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

Clancy was clinically diagnosed with major depressive disorder by multiple professionals: McLean Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Alia Goodheart, outpatient psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Tufts and prosecution expert Dr. Avram Mack.

From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026

Even so, the research provides another glimpse into changes that may occur long before Alzheimer's becomes clinically visible and underscores the value of basic research aimed at understanding and, eventually, anticipating the disease.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 29, 2026

Dr Simon Cork, from Anglia Ruskin University, said while the weight-loss benefits of Foundayo were less than other treatments, patients could still expect to see "significant, clinically meaningful changes to their weight".

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

"If I were spending a month alone," Hannah said yesterday, "I would start a meditation practice. It's clinically proven to lower blood pressure and boost brain activity. It even helps your immune system."

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour