thoroughly

adverb

thor·​ough·​ly ˈthər-(ˌ)ō-lē 

 sometimes  ˈthȯr-;

ˈthə-(ˌ)rō-

: in a complete or thorough manner

Police thoroughly searched the crime scene for clues.

Bats are extremely tidy: they comb themselves thoroughly, and don't gather a mess of nesting materials for their homes, as birds do.

—Diane Ackerman

: to a complete or thorough extent

We were thoroughly satisfied with the service we received.

thoroughly disgusted/delighted

By taking all the tricks in the game, one defeats the opponent so thoroughly that he may be disconcerted …

—Craig M. Carver

Synonyms

• completely
• comprehensively
• detailedly
• exhaustively
• fully
• inside out
• minutely
• roundly
• sweepingly
• systematically
• through and through
• totally

Examples of thoroughly in a Sentence

they researched the issue thoroughly before deciding how to vote

I am thoroughly satisfied with her explanation of the events of that evening

Recent Examples on the Web

Discover which essential items deserve a spot on your cleaning checklist, along with tips to ensure they are cleaned properly and thoroughly. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

These professionals make recommendations after thoroughly analyzing a company’s financial strength and its ability to pay consistent dividends. —Tipranks.com Staff, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2024

Another way to prevent illness is to thoroughly wash vegetables and fruits before using them. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024

Maintain hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses. —Alyssa Hui-Anderson, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above