explicitly

[ik-splis-it-lee]

adverb

1. in a way that is clearly expressed, demonstrated, or formulated.

   There are a couple of important points that I wish had been made more clearly and explicitly.

   We should also explicitly advocate for ourselves when it comes to promotions or raises.

2. in a way that is direct or precise; specifically.

   Women and underrepresented minorities are explicitly invited to apply.

3. in a graphic or detailed way; not leaving anything to the imagination.

   The art to be displayed cannot include explicitly sexual scenes, nudity, or salacious or revealing imagery.

Other Word Forms

• overexplicitly adverb
• quasi-explicitly adverb
• superexplicitly adverb
• unexplicitly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of explicitly¹

explicit ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Republicans are deliberately lying about the Affordable Care Act subsidies, particularly Vice President Vance’s false claim that Democrats want “free healthcare for illegals” when undocumented immigrants are explicitly ineligible for federally paid ACA benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

Some plaintiffs say they were explicitly told to make up claims.

From Los Angeles Times

Danish authorities have not found any evidence that Russia was behind last week's drone disruption, but Frederiksen linked it explicitly to other so-called hybrid attacks such as Russian drones over Poland.

From BBC

Officers released the men after the victim denied being kidnapped and explicitly told police that Amiryan was “not guilty.”

From Los Angeles Times

Critics have described the attacks as “lawless,” coming outside any theater of war and explicitly directed at civilians.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolutely 
• altogether 
• carefully 
• completely 
• correctly www.thesaurus.com
• definitely 
• indeed 
• literally 
• precisely 
• quite 
• specifically 
• strictly 
• totally 
• truly