expressly

[ik-spres-lee]

adverb

1. for the particular or specific purpose; specially.

   I came expressly to see you.

2. in a clear, direct, or definite manner; explicitly.

   I asked him expressly to stop talking.

expressly

/ ɪkˈsprɛslɪ /

adverb

1. for an express purpose; with specific intentions

2. plainly, exactly, or unmistakably

Other Word Forms

• unexpressly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of expressly¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; express, -ly

Example Sentences

With this innovation, the Mary Rose made the historic transition from a vessel that was capable of carrying guns on its deck to a warship expressly built to permanently house a battery of cannons.

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“Bring it home — for Kwei,” he mutters in an elaborate creature language invented expressly for the film.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"The President's unlawful federalization of the National Guard violates the Tenth Amendment, which 'reserves to the States' any powers not expressly delegated to the federal government in the Constitution," Immergut wrote.

Read more on Barron's

As the Supreme Court has held repeatedly since federal pollution-control statutes displaced federal common-law claims, such disputes may proceed unless they are expressly pre-empted by or otherwise in conflict with federal law.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But it expressly disavows any right for minority groups to receive representation proportional to their share of the population.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• categorically 
• explicitly 
• plainly www.thesaurus.com
• pointedly 
• specifically 
• unequivocally 
• unmistakably www.thesaurus.com