emphatically
gb/ɛmfˈætɪkəli/ us/ɛmfˈætɪkəli/
C1
English
határozottan, nyomatékosan, egyértelműen, kétségkívül, hangsúlyosan
C1
FORMAL
1
határozottan
B2
nyomatékosan
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] [says/states/insists/denies] [something] emphatically
She told them emphatically that the deadline would not be extended.
Határozottan közölte velük, hogy a határidőt nem fogják meghosszabbítani.
The minister emphatically denied the reports.
A miniszter határozottan cáfolta a híreket.
He shook his head emphatically and walked away.
Learner examples
He said emphatically, “No.”
Határozottan azt mondta: „Nem.”
She answered emphatically.
Határozottan válaszolt.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse emphatically (strongly) with empathetically (showing understanding of feelings).
Meaning
with strong emphasis
Collocations
say emphatically
|state emphatically
|insist emphatically
|deny emphatically
|declare emphatically
|reject emphatically
|answer emphatically
|nod emphatically
|shake (your) head emphatically
|stress emphatically
Synonyms
firmly (Strong and confident, often slightly less forceful.)
|
forcefully (Highlights power and strength in delivery.)
|
strongly (A common, less formal alternative.)
|
categorically (Suggests an absolute, no-exceptions position.)
Antonyms
tentatively (Shows uncertainty rather than strong conviction.)
|
weakly (Lacks force or emphasis.)
Themes
communication
|opinions
|writing_speaking
Definition
in a strong and clear way
In a way that shows strong emphasis, certainty, or force, especially when speaking or writing.
C1
FORMAL
2
egyértelműen
B2
kétségkívül
C1
Usage pattern:
emphatically + [adjective/adverb/clause]
It is emphatically clear that the policy needs to change.
Teljesen egyértelmű, hogy a politikán változtatni kell.
This is emphatically the right decision for the team.
Ez egyértelműen a helyes döntés a csapat számára.
Their approach is emphatically different from ours.
Learner examples
It is emphatically true.
Ez egyértelműen igaz.
That is emphatically wrong.
Ez egyértelműen helytelen.
Common mistake:
Avoid overusing it in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal or dramatic.
Meaning
very definitely; absolutely
Collocations
emphatically true
|emphatically false
|emphatically clear
|emphatically necessary
|emphatically different
|emphatically wrong
|emphatically the case
|emphatically reject
|emphatically agree
|emphatically disagree
Synonyms
absolutely (More common and less formal in many contexts.)
|
definitely (Strong certainty, usually less intense.)
|
unequivocally (More formal; stresses no ambiguity.)
Antonyms
possibly (Allows uncertainty rather than certainty.)
|
arguably (Suggests the claim is open to debate.)
Themes
communication
|certainty
|opinions
Definition
used to mean “absolutely” or “without any doubt”
Used to make a statement sound completely certain, often by strengthening an adjective, adverb, or whole clause.
C1
3
hangsúlyosan
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [speaks/pronounces/reads] emphatically
She read the instructions emphatically, stressing each key point.
Hangsúlyosan olvasta fel az utasításokat, minden fontos pontot külön kiemelve.
He pronounced the name emphatically to correct them.
Hangsúlyosan ejtette ki a nevet, hogy kijavítsa őket.
The actor spoke emphatically to make the line memorable.
Learner examples
Say the last word emphatically.
Mondd ki az utolsó szót hangsúlyosan.
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common than the general “strongly/certainly” meaning.
Meaning
with marked stress in speech
Collocations
speak emphatically
|pronounce emphatically
|read emphatically
|stress words emphatically
|enunciate emphatically
|say it emphatically
Synonyms
with emphasis (A direct paraphrase; often more natural than the adverb.)
|
pointedly (Adds a sense of deliberate significance or criticism.)
Antonyms
monotonously (Without variation or stress.)
|
flatly (Without expression or emphasis.)
Themes
communication
|pronunciation
|speaking
Definition
with strong stress on the words
In a way that gives extra stress to particular words or syllables when speaking.
Grammar
Dictionary form
emphatically
IPA
GB/ɛmfˈætɪkəli/
US/ɛmfˈætɪkəli/
Syllables & stress
em - phat - ic - ally (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (phat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: emphatically
- Plural: emphaticallies
Word family
Forms
emphaticallies
noun
Related words
overemphasize
verb C1
underemphasize
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unemphatic
adjective
unemphatically
adverb
de-emphasize
verb
Expressions
emphatically deny
1/ɛmfˈætɪkəli dɪnˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
deny strongly and clearly
say strongly that something is not true
Examples
- He emphatically denied any involvement in the incident.
- The company emphatically denies the allegations.
- She emphatically denied that she had seen the document.
Learner examples
- He emphatically denied it.
emphatically in favor of
1/ɛmfˈætɪkəli ˈɪn fˈeɪvɚ əv/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly supporting
strongly support something
Examples
- The committee is emphatically in favor of the proposal.
- She was emphatically in favor of extending the program.
- Voters seemed emphatically in favor of change.
Learner examples
- They are emphatically in favor of it.
emphatically not
1/ɛmfˈætɪkəli nˈɑt/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly and clearly not
used to say “definitely not”
Examples
- That is emphatically not what I said.
- The report is emphatically not accurate.
- He is emphatically not responsible for the decision.
Learner examples
- It is emphatically not true.
emphatically opposed to
1/ɛmfˈætɪkəli əpˈoʊzd tə/
fixed phrase
formal
strongly against
strongly against something
Examples
- Local residents are emphatically opposed to the new road.
- She is emphatically opposed to cutting the budget.
- They remained emphatically opposed to any compromise.
Learner examples
- He is emphatically opposed to the plan.
most emphatically
1/mˈoʊst ɛmfˈætɪkəli/
fixed phrase
formal
very strongly; with maximum emphasis
used to mean “very strongly”
Examples
- I most emphatically disagree with that conclusion.
- She most emphatically denied taking the money.
- We most emphatically reject any suggestion of wrongdoing.
Learner examples
- I most emphatically disagree.