Synonyms for Highly
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: The word highly is used to express a great degree of something, such as praise, value, or probability. You can swap it with words like very, extremely, or immensely to avoid repetition. Choosing the right synonym depends on the specific context and the tone you wish to convey in your sentence. This list helps you select the best fit for formal, informal, or emphatic situations.
Closest Synonyms for Highly
- very
- A general intensifier used in casual and formal speech. Example: She is very talented.
- extremely
- Indicates a high degree often used for negative or serious contexts. Example: The heat was extremely intense.
- immensely
- Suggests a large scale or magnitude, often regarding size or impact. Example: We feel immensely grateful.
- greatly
- Often used with verbs like appreciated or affected to show significant change. Example: The team was greatly motivated.
- considerably
- Implies a noticeable amount or difference in value or quantity. Example: Prices have considerably risen.
- remarkably
- Highlights something that is worth noting due to its unusual quality. Example: The results were remarkably fast.
- substantially
- Refers to something that is significant in amount or importance. Example: The fund was substantially increased.
- deeply
- Used for emotions or beliefs to show intense involvement. Example: He is deeply affected by the news.
- overwhelmingly
- Indicates a force or feeling that is too strong to resist. Example: The crowd was overwhelmingly supportive.
- incredibly
- Expresses a level of surprise or astonishment regarding an event. Example: The view was incredibly beautiful.
- fairly
- Used to moderate an adjective, meaning reasonably or to a moderate degree. Example: The task was fairly easy.
Formal Synonyms for Highly
- eminently
- Used to describe someone who is very suitable or qualified for a role. Example: He is eminently qualified.
- exceedingly
- Indicates a degree that goes beyond normal limits in a polite way. Example: The guest was exceedingly polite.
- thoroughly
- Means completely or in a detailed manner, often with verbs like examined. Example: The plan was thoroughly reviewed.
- intensely
- Shows a very strong feeling or action in a serious context. Example: The storm was intensely violent.
- significantly
- Indicates that something is important enough to be noticed or counted. Example: The data changed significantly.
- utterly
- Means completely or entirely, often used with negative adjectives. Example: The plan was utterly flawed.
- completely
- Indicates total involvement or the finishing of an action fully. Example: The room was completely empty.
Informal Synonyms for Highly
- super
- A common slang term meaning very good or excellent. Example: That burger is super tasty.
- real
- Used in casual speech to mean very or actually. Example: That was real scary.
- pretty
- Used to mean quite or fairly, softening the intensity of an adjective. Example: It is pretty cold outside.
- totally
- Means completely or fully, often used for agreement or intensity. Example: I am totally exhausted.
- awfully
- Used in the UK or casual speech to mean very. Example: I am awfully tired.
- heaps
- Used to indicate a large amount, often with adjectives like nice. Example: That was heaps of fun.
- superbly
- Means in an excellent manner, often used to praise performance. Example: She danced superbly.
- wildly
- Indicates a great degree, often regarding success or intensity. Example: The prices went wildly up.
- keenly
- Means with great interest or sharpness, often regarding attention. Example: He watched keenly.
- really
- A versatile intensifier used in almost any casual context. Example: That was really loud.
Stronger and Weaker Words
Antonyms for Highly
- lowly
- little
- barely
- slightly
- lightly
- weakly
- poorly
- infinitely
How to Pick the Right Synonym
Choosing the right synonym for highly depends on the context and the specific emotion you want to convey. If you are writing a formal report, select words like eminently or significantly to maintain professionalism. For casual conversation, informal terms like super or real sound more natural. Always consider the adjective that follows the adverb, as some words pair better with certain types of descriptions. Finally, read the sentence aloud to ensure the rhythm and tone feel correct to your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a formal synonym for highly?
Eminently is a formal synonym for highly, often used to describe someone as very suitable for a specific role or task. It conveys a sense of perfect qualification without sounding too casual.
Can I use pretty as a synonym for highly?
Yes, you can use pretty as a synonym for highly, but it usually weakens the intensity. It suggests a moderate degree rather than an extreme one, making it suitable for softer statements.
What is the difference between extremely and highly?
Extremely indicates a higher degree of intensity than highly. While highly suggests a strong level, extremely pushes that level to the limit, often used for more dramatic effects.
How do I choose between very and highly?
Very is a general intensifier suitable for most adjectives in any context. Highly is more specific, often used with adjectives like valued or regarded to show opinion or status.
