Meaning & use
surely
Used to express confidence or strong belief that something is true, even without absolute proof.
See it in a sentence
Surely someone noticed the broken window before now.
If we leave now, we will surely make it to the airport in time.
A note on using this word
Often signals hopeful expectation rather than fact, as in "Surely you're joking," which questions rather than confirms.
Words with a similar meaning
certainlyundoubtedly
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