ENGLISH
REFERENCE

soundly

adv.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈsaʊndɫi// UK //sˈaʊndli// sound·ly

adv. in a way that is very clear, strong, or effective. You use this to describe something that is done well or that has a strong effect.

adv. in a manner that is thorough, effective, or clearly defined. Often used to describe the quality of a victory, a sleep, or a logical argument.


SIMPLE

The team won the game soundly.

CONTEXTUAL

After a soundly defeating the opposition in the final round, the champion felt confident about her future in the sport.

COMPLEX

The committee's decision was soundly based on years of empirical research, leaving little room for the critics to challenge the methodology.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English soundly, soundely, from Old English ġesundlīċe (“safely, prosperously, gladly”), equivalent to sound + -ly. Originally meaning "safely", the present sense came in the 16ᵗʰ century.

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