surely
Of course, yes
Surely expresses confidence or certainty: Surely you don't believe that.
It often carries a note of appeal or disbelief, inviting agreement or challenging a claim.
Surely there's a better way.
In older or formal usage, surely can simply mean certainly or without doubt: Slowly but surely, they made progress.
With total certainty
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- definitelyWith complete certainty
- unquestionablyBeyond any dispute
- indubitablyBeyond any doubt
absolutely · doubtless · inevitably · incontrovertibly · irrefutably · unmistakably · inescapably · undeniably
Word affirming emphasis
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- positivelyWith complete certainty
- emphaticallyWith strong emphasis
unquestionably · categorically · unequivocally · decidedly · definitely · clearly · obviously · plainly
In actual fact
- seriouslyWith sincere intent
- honestlyIn a truthful manner
- trulyIn a genuine manner
- actuallyIn truth, not supposedly
no way · come on · you're kidding · incredulously · skeptically · doubtfully · questioningly · surprised
By one's own acknowledgment
- grantedGiven or allowed officially
- arguablyOpen to debate
- conceivablyWithin imagination's reach
- presumablyTaken as likely true
acknowledged · agreed · accepted · understandably · recognizably · naturally · of course
At reduced speed
- steadilyIn constant, unwavering fashion
- progressivelyIn increasing stages
- graduallyIn slow stages
- incrementallyBy small successive amounts
methodically · step-by-step · unfailingly · reliably · consistently · dependably · inexorably · persistently
undoubtedly
With total certainty
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- definitelyWith complete certainty
- unquestionablyBeyond any dispute
indubitably · absolutely · doubtless · inevitably · incontrovertibly · irrefutably · unmistakably · inescapably · undeniably · positively
indeed
Word affirming emphasis
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- positivelyWith complete certainty
emphatically · unquestionably · categorically · unequivocally · decidedly · definitely · clearly · obviously · plainly · evidently
really
In actual fact
actually · no way · come on · you're kidding · incredulously · skeptically · doubtfully · questioningly · surprised · astonished
admittedly
By one's own acknowledgment
- grantedGiven or allowed officially
- arguablyOpen to debate
- conceivablyWithin imagination's reach
presumably · acknowledged · agreed · accepted · understandably · recognizably · naturally · of course
slowly
At reduced speed
- steadilyIn constant, unwavering fashion
- progressivelyIn increasing stages
- graduallyIn slow stages
incrementally · methodically · step-by-step · unfailingly · reliably · consistently · dependably · inexorably · persistently
- -LY wordssoftly, loudly, quickly, slowly, happily
- affirmativesyes, yeah, yep, yup, absolutely
- certaintycertain, uncertain, definite, doubtful, positive
- Confidentlyboldly, firmly, certainly, decisively, assertively
- intensifiersvery, really, extremely, absolutely, incredibly
- sentence adverbsobviously, certainly, probably, possibly, perhaps
surelydoubtfully
In an unconvinced way
uncertainly · doubtingly · questionably · dubiously · skeptically
surelyhesitantly
With uncertain manner
irresolutely · waveringly · haltingly · falteringly · timidly
- make sureVerify something is certain
- not sureState of doubt
- sure thingGuaranteed outcome or agreement
- for sureExpressing complete certainty
- making sureConfirming something is so
- made sureConfirmed something would happen
sure, unsure, assured, ensure, insure, reassure, sureness, assuredly, surer