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View synonyms for

otherwise

[ uhth-er-wahyz ]

adverb

  1. under other circumstances:

    Otherwise they may get broken.

  2. in another manner; differently:

    Under the circumstances, I can't believe otherwise.

  3. in other respects:

    an otherwise happy life.



conjunction

  1. or else; if not:

    Button up your overcoat, otherwise you'll catch cold.

adjective

  1. other or different; of another nature or kind:

    We hoped his behavior would be otherwise.

  2. in other or different circumstances:

    An otherwise pleasure had become a grinding chore.

otherwise

/ ˈʌðəˌɲɪ /

sentence connector

  1. or else; if not, then

    go home — otherwise your mother will worry

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. differently

    I wouldn't have thought otherwise

  2. in other respects

    an otherwise hopeless situation

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. predicative of an unexpected nature; different

    the facts are otherwise

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pronoun

  1. something different in outcome

    success or otherwise

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

The expression otherwise than means in any other way than and should not be followed by an adjective: no-one taught by this method can be other than (not otherwise than ) successful; you are not allowed to use the building otherwise than as a private dwelling
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Word History and Origins

Origin of otherwise1

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English (on) ōthre wīsan “(in) another manner”; equivalent to other + -wise
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Word History and Origins

Origin of otherwise1

C14: from Old English on ōthre wīsan in other manner
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“ initially presented itself mostly as loss began to open doors … and make possible many things that might have never happened otherwise. I really hope that might be the case for some of you.”

From

The term "synaptic plasticity" just means the ability of these connections to be strengthened or otherwise changed.

From

A Chinese official said there had been no trade talks with the US, despite suggestions otherwise from the Trump administration.

From

Thank God we connected towards the end, otherwise I’d be heartbroken.

From

Did she believe Aimee’s story to the end, but lose faith otherwise?

From

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