verbally

American  

[vur-buh-lee] / ˈvɜr bə li /

adverb

1. using spoken words rather than written words; orally.

   The committee verbally OK’d the park renewal plan.

2. by the use of words, rather than by physical means.

   Pain inflicted verbally can leave deep, invisible scars.

3. Grammar. with the function of a verb.

   When used verbally, the term ‘bird-dog’ is hyphenated.

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Other Word Forms

• nonverbally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of verbally

First recorded in 1570–70; verbal ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

verbally

Now, Eatherly’s ilk gloats about verbally terrorizing American citizens going about their day-to-day lives on American streets and beams this content around the globe for money.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

He said he was "the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times" and that the "unconditional" gift would help cover his personal security costs.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

Among the technologies demonstrated during a recent session in Huntsville, Ala., was a quad-copter that can approache a drone nearing the restricted zone and verbally warn the operator.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

The board’s decision followed internal reports to directors that Manifold bullied employees, was verbally abusive and had mishandled company information, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026

Paranoid got tacked on about a year later, after I verbally attacked a librarian for trying to hand me propaganda pamphlets for an underground Communist force operating out of the basement of the public library.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia