clearly

(adverbs)

Found 11 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

in a clear way

Explaining (phrase)

T1

Nuance: Clarity

A simple phrase for how something was explained.

Boring

The teacher explained the directions clearly before we started the lab.

Better

The teacher explained the directions in a clear way before we started the lab.

obviously

Very clear / easy to see

T1

Nuance: Obvious

Use when it really is obvious.

Boring

Clearly, the sign says the library is closed on Sundays.

Better

Obviously, the sign says the library is closed on Sundays.

plainly

Clear to see

T1

Nuance: Clear

Common and clear.

Boring

The student handbook clearly says phones must stay in backpacks during class.

Better

The student handbook plainly says phones must stay in backpacks during class.

distinctly

Clear (sensory)

T2

Nuance: Clear sound

Best for hearing or seeing clearly.

Boring

Please speak clearly during your presentation so everyone in the back row can hear you.

Better

Please speak distinctly during your presentation so everyone in the back row can hear you.

evidently

Clear from evidence

T2

Nuance: Evidence-based

Suggests the evidence shows it.

Boring

From the timestamps on the document, it is clearly true that the edits were made late last night.

Better

From the timestamps on the document, it is evidently true that the edits were made late last night.

plain as day

Very obvious (idiom)

T2

Nuance: Very obvious

Idiomatic; more casual.

Boring

It was clearly the case that the numbers did not match on three problems.

Better

It was plain as day that the numbers did not match on three problems.

without confusion

Clarity (phrase)

T2

Nuance: Clarity

Works better with explaining or presenting than with labels or rules.

Boring

She explained the formula clearly so everyone knew which numbers to plug in.

Better

She explained the formula without confusion, so everyone knew which numbers to plug in.

articulately

Clear speaking (formal)

T3

Nuance: Clear speech

Best for speaking clearly.

Boring

She spoke clearly and confidently during her presentation.

Better

She spoke articulately and confidently during her presentation.

manifestly

Clearly obvious (formal)

T3

Nuance: Obvious

Formal; sounds academic.

Boring

The pattern was clearly visible in the graph even from the back of the room.

Better

The pattern was manifestly visible in the graph even from the back of the room.

unequivocally

Very clear (formal)

T3

Nuance: No doubt

Very formal; strong certainty.

Boring

The contract clearly says the final payment is due by Friday.

Better

The contract unequivocally says the final payment is due by Friday.

unmistakably

Impossible to mistake

T3

Nuance: Cannot be mistaken

Very strong; use when there is no doubt.

Boring

The warning label clearly states that the liquid is flammable.

Better

The warning label unmistakably states that the liquid is flammable.