The best synonyms for highly depend on how you use the word. When it means “to a great degree,” strong alternatives include extremely, very, greatly, exceedingly, exceptionally, immensely, and tremendously. In phrases such as “speak highly of,” however, words such as favorably, positively, or enthusiastically may fit better.
That distinction matters because highly has more than one common meaning. Choosing a synonym based only on a thesaurus list can make a sentence sound unnatural or change its meaning.
What Does “Highly” Mean?
Highly is an adverb that commonly means to a great degree, very, or extremely.
For example:
- She is highly talented.
- The restaurant is highly popular.
- He is highly unlikely to agree.
In these sentences, highly adds strong emphasis.
The word can also describe favorable opinion or approval:
- I speak highly of her work.
- The professor is highly regarded by her students.
In another context, it can describe something positioned at a high level or rate:
- Highly paid workers often have specialized skills.
Because of these different uses, the best synonym depends on the sentence.
Quick List of Synonyms for Highly
Here are some of the most useful alternatives:
- Extremely
- Very
- Greatly
- Exceedingly
- Exceptionally
- Immensely
- Tremendously
- Vastly
- Remarkably
- Extraordinarily
- Incredibly
- Particularly
- Especially
- Deeply
- Profoundly
- Intensely
- Considerably
- Significantly
- Notably
- Supremely
- Decidedly
- Unusually
- Uncommonly
- Enormously
- Hugely
- Favourably
- Positively
- Enthusiastically
- Approvingly
- Appreciatively
Not every word above can replace highly in every sentence. The sections below explain where each one works best.
The Best Synonyms for “Highly” When It Means “Very”
When highly emphasizes the degree of an adjective or adverb, these alternatives are usually the most useful.
1. Extremely
Extremely means to a very great degree. It is one of the strongest and most natural replacements for highly.
Example:
- Highly successful → Extremely successful
- Highly important → Extremely important
- Highly difficult → Extremely difficult
Best for: Everyday, academic, professional, and formal writing.
2. Very
Very is simpler and more conversational than highly.
Example:
She is highly skilled.
→ She is very skilled.
The meaning remains close, although very can sound less forceful in some contexts.
Best for: General and conversational writing.
3. Greatly
Greatly emphasizes a large degree or effect.
Example:
The new system is highly beneficial.
→ The new system is greatly beneficial.
However, greatly often sounds more natural with verbs:
- The change greatly improved productivity.
- We greatly appreciate your help.
Best for: Formal, professional, and academic writing.
4. Exceedingly
Exceedingly means to an unusually high degree. It has a more formal or literary tone.
Example:
The task was highly difficult.
→ The task was exceedingly difficult.
Best for: Formal and polished writing.
5. Exceptionally
Exceptionally suggests that something is unusually high, good, or impressive.
Example:
She is highly talented.
→ She is exceptionally talented.
The second version often suggests that her ability stands above what is normally expected.
Best for: Professional, academic, and descriptive writing.
6. Immensely
Immensely expresses a very large degree.
Example:
The experience was highly enjoyable.
→ The experience was immensely enjoyable.
It works especially well with words related to feelings, value, or impact.
Best for: Formal, expressive, and polished writing.
7. Tremendously
Tremendously means to a very great degree or extent.
Example:
The project was highly successful.
→ The project was tremendously successful.
It often gives a sentence an enthusiastic tone.
Best for: Positive, persuasive, and general writing.
8. Vastly
Vastly emphasizes a large difference, amount, or degree.
Example:
The new method is highly superior.
A more natural use would be:
The new method is vastly better.
Best for: Comparisons, differences, and changes in degree.
9. Remarkably
Remarkably suggests that something is unusually notable or impressive.
Example:
The patient recovered highly quickly.
This would not be a natural replacement. Instead, you might say:
The patient recovered remarkably quickly.
The word works best when the quality being described is notable or surprising.
10. Extraordinarily
Extraordinarily means to an unusual or exceptional degree.
Example:
She is highly intelligent.
→ She is extraordinarily intelligent.
The alternative gives the sentence a stronger sense of exceptional ability.
Best for: Formal and descriptive writing.
More Strong Alternatives for “Highly”
Several other words can work when highly means “to a great degree.”
| Synonym | Main idea | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Incredibly | Very strongly or surprisingly | incredibly useful |
| Particularly | To a notable degree | particularly important |
| Especially | More than usual | especially valuable |
| Deeply | Strongly or profoundly | deeply concerned |
| Profoundly | To a deep or significant degree | profoundly affected |
| Intensely | With strong intensity | intensely focused |
| Considerably | By a substantial amount | considerably better |
| Significantly | To an important degree | significantly different |
| Notably | In a noticeable way | notably successful |
| Supremely | To the highest degree | supremely confident |
| Decidedly | Clearly or strongly | decidedly different |
| Unusually | More than is normal | unusually effective |
| Uncommonly | To an uncommon degree | uncommonly talented |
| Enormously | To a very large degree | enormously successful |
| Hugely | To a very great degree | hugely popular |
The best choice still depends on the adjective or verb that follows it.
Synonyms for “Highly” in Common Phrases
Some expressions require more careful word choice. Here are common examples.
Highly Successful
Good alternatives include:
- Extremely successful
- Exceptionally successful
- Very successful
- Tremendously successful
- Remarkably successful
- Enormously successful
- Incredibly successful
Example:
The company became highly successful within a few years.
→ The company became exceptionally successful within a few years.
Highly Effective
Useful alternatives include:
- Extremely effective
- Very effective
- Exceptionally effective
- Remarkably effective
- Highly successful — when the context focuses on results rather than effectiveness itself
Example:
This method is highly effective.
→ This method is remarkably effective.
Highly Important
Natural alternatives include:
- Extremely important
- Very important
- Especially important
- Particularly important
- Critically important
- Of great importance
Example:
Communication is highly important in this role.
A more natural version may be:
Communication is extremely important in this role.
Highly Skilled
Good alternatives include:
- Extremely skilled
- Exceptionally skilled
- Highly proficient
- Very experienced
- Expert
- Advanced
Example:
She is a highly skilled developer.
→ She is an exceptionally skilled developer.
Highly Recommended
Natural alternatives include:
- Strongly recommended
- Very strongly recommended
- Widely recommended
- Especially recommended
- Highly favored — only in contexts where preference is the focus
Example:
This book is highly recommended for beginners.
→ This book is strongly recommended for beginners.
Here, strongly is usually more natural than extremely because the phrase concerns a recommendation rather than degree alone.
Synonyms for “Speak Highly Of”
The meaning changes when highly appears in the phrase “speak highly of.”
In this expression, highly means favorably or approvingly.
Useful alternatives include:
- Speak favorably of
- Speak positively of
- Praise
- Commend
- Speak enthusiastically about
- Talk appreciatively about
Example
The manager spoke highly of her work.
Possible alternatives include:
- The manager spoke favorably of her work.
- The manager spoke positively about her work.
- The manager praised her work.
- The manager spoke enthusiastically about her work.
In this context, extremely would not work:
The manager spoke extremely of her work.
That sentence is incorrect because highly is not expressing degree here.
Synonyms for “Highly Regarded”
When highly regarded means respected or admired, good alternatives include:
- Widely respected
- Deeply respected
- Greatly respected
- Highly respected
- Well regarded
- Widely admired
- Esteemed
- Acclaimed
- Respected
- Celebrated
Example:
She is a highly regarded researcher.
→ She is a widely respected researcher.
The second sentence sounds natural because it preserves the idea of admiration and professional respect.
Formal Synonyms for Highly
If you are writing an academic paper, report, business article, or professional document, these options can work well:
- Extremely
- Exceedingly
- Exceptionally
- Considerably
- Significantly
- Profoundly
- Remarkably
- Extraordinarily
- Notably
- Decidedly
However, formal writing does not always require a more complicated word. Very or extremely may be clearer than a rare alternative.
Casual Alternatives to Highly
For everyday communication, these choices often sound natural:
- Very
- Really
- Extremely
- Incredibly
- Super
- Really well
- A lot
For example:
The movie was highly entertaining.
In casual conversation, you could say:
The movie was really entertaining.
The best choice depends on the audience and tone.
What Is the Difference Between “Highly” and “Extremely”?
Highly and extremely overlap when they mean “to a great degree,” but they are not interchangeable in every sentence.
Consider:
She is highly respected.
The phrase emphasizes her strong reputation or the degree of respect she receives.
You can say:
She is extremely respected.
However, extremely respected sounds less natural in many contexts. Highly respected is an established English expression.
The same pattern appears in phrases such as:
- highly recommended
- highly regarded
- highly skilled
- highly successful
- highly effective
Therefore, a dictionary synonym may be grammatically possible but still less natural in a particular phrase.
What Is the Difference Between “Highly” and “Very”?
Both words can intensify an adjective or adverb.
Very is more general:
The test was very difficult.
Highly often sounds more formal and works naturally with particular combinations:
The test was highly technical.
Replacing highly with very is sometimes easy. In other cases, the original expression has become a standard collocation.
For example:
- highly recommended sounds natural
- very recommended does not
That is why context matters more than simply choosing the first synonym in a thesaurus.
How to Choose the Right Synonym for Highly
Use the meaning of the sentence as your guide.
| What you mean | Best alternatives |
|---|---|
| Very strong degree | Extremely, very, exceedingly |
| Exceptional degree | Exceptionally, extraordinarily |
| Very large effect | Greatly, immensely, tremendously |
| Unusual or impressive degree | Remarkably, extraordinarily |
| Strong emotional depth | Deeply, profoundly |
| Large difference | Vastly, considerably, significantly |
| Special emphasis | Especially, particularly |
| Favorable opinion | Favorably, positively |
| Praise or approval | Enthusiastically, approvingly |
| High professional respect | Widely respected, esteemed |
This approach produces more natural writing than replacing highly mechanically.
Common Mistakes When Replacing “Highly”
Using a synonym without checking the meaning
The sentence “I speak highly of him” does not mean “I speak extremely of him.” Here, highly means favorably.
Assuming every synonym has the same strength
Very, extremely, exceptionally, and supremely can all express degree, but they do not always create the same tone or intensity.
Ignoring common word combinations
English has natural combinations called collocations. For example, highly recommended is much more natural than extremely recommended.
Choosing complicated vocabulary unnecessarily
A rare word does not automatically improve writing. In many situations, extremely, very, or greatly communicates the idea more clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best synonym for highly?
Extremely is one of the closest general synonyms when highly means “to a great degree.” Other strong options include very, greatly, exceedingly, exceptionally, and immensely.
What is another word for highly?
Depending on the context, another word for highly can be extremely, very, greatly, exceptionally, remarkably, exceedingly, or immensely. When highly means “favorably,” alternatives include positively and favorably.
What is a formal synonym for highly?
Formal alternatives include exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily, considerably, significantly, and profoundly. The right option depends on the sentence.
What is a synonym for highly recommended?
Strongly recommended is one of the most natural alternatives. Depending on the context, widely recommended or especially recommended may also work.
What is a synonym for highly successful?
Common alternatives include extremely successful, exceptionally successful, tremendously successful, remarkably successful, and enormously successful.
What is a synonym for highly regarded?
Useful alternatives include widely respected, well regarded, esteemed, widely admired, acclaimed, and respected.
Is “extremely” the same as “highly”?
Not always. The two words overlap when they mean “to a great degree,” but highly also appears in expressions where it means favorable approval or strong professional regard.
What is the difference between highly and greatly?
Highly often modifies adjectives and adverbs, as in highly effective. Greatly frequently modifies verbs, as in greatly improved or greatly appreciated. They overlap in some contexts but do not have identical usage patterns.
Can “very” replace “highly”?
Sometimes. For example, highly skilled can become very skilled. However, some expressions, such as highly recommended, do not work naturally with very.
What is the opposite of highly?
The opposite depends on the context. Possible contrasts include slightly, barely, hardly, minimally, or poorly. There is no single opposite that works in every use of highly.
Conclusion
The best synonyms for highly depend on what the word means in your sentence. For strong degree, extremely, very, greatly, exceedingly, exceptionally, and immensely are useful choices. For favorable opinions, favorably, positively, and enthusiastically are more accurate.
When choosing an alternative, focus on meaning and natural usage rather than simply finding a word with a similar dictionary definition. A precise synonym should preserve both the meaning and the tone of the original sentence.
