Thoroughly
What it means
In a careful way that covers every important part.
Reach for it when describing work completed with both detail and full scope
The engineer thoroughly checked the supports before reopening the footbridge.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional |
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| formal |
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playful
from top to bottom
Fits when complete practical inspection suits an informal voice
Careful The idiom is too casual and spatial for formal analytical work.
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everyday
Fits when avoiding mistakes is the main aim
Careful Carefully does not promise that the full scope was covered.
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everyday
completely
Fits when total extent matters more than care
Careful Completely can describe a rushed action that reaches every part without examining any part well.
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professional
Fits when fine detail and precision dominate
Careful Meticulously can imply painstaking detail within a narrow slice rather than complete coverage.
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professional
Fits when an ordered method prevents omissions
Careful A systematic process can still use shallow checks.
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formal
comprehensively
Fits when all relevant topics or categories are included
Careful Comprehensively says less about close examination of each item.
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formal
exhaustively
Fits when virtually every possibility was investigated
Careful Exhaustively overclaims work that covered everything material but not every conceivable case.
Opposites 3
- superficially
- partially
- carelessly
Common phrases 3
-
check thoroughly
Inspectors check thoroughly before signing the occupancy certificate.
-
thoroughly tested
The alarm was thoroughly tested in daylight and blackout conditions.
-
thoroughly understand
A reviewer must thoroughly understand the exception before approving it.
Word family 2
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated