soundly
2 synonyms and 2 antonyms for soundly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adverb — Thoroughly and without flaws; completely.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use soundly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sleep soundly
soundly defeated
soundly built
Etymology
From Old English gesundlice ("safely, in good health"), from the same root as sound (healthy, intact). The word originally meant "safely" and shifted to its modern "thoroughly" sense around the 1500s.
Full origin of soundly →Frequently asked questions
What does “soundly” mean?
The word “soundly” means thoroughly and without flaws; completely. In plain terms, thoroughly, solidly, with no weak points — used for sleeping, beating an opponent, or reasoning well.
How do you pronounce “soundly”?
“Soundly” is pronounced SOWND-lih (/ˈsaʊnd.lɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “soundly” in a sentence?
Here is “soundly” used in a sentence: “She slept soundly through the storm.”
What part of speech is “soundly”?
“Soundly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “soundly” come from?
The word “soundly” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English gesundlice ("safely, in good health"), from the same root as sound (healthy, intact). The word originally meant "safely" and shifted to its modern "thoroughly" sense around the 1500s.
