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Possibly vs Apparently - What's the difference?

possibly | apparently |

As adverbs the difference between possibly and apparently

is that possibly is (modifying a clause or predicate) while apparently is plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.

possibly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • (modifying a clause or predicate)
    • Possibly , they will make gains in the midterm elections.
    It was possibly the costliest mistake in the organization's history.
    This rare and possibly unique specimen must be conserved.
  • (modifying a verb)
    • I'm much stronger than you, so you can't possibly win.
    I couldn't possibly be there on time.
    I couldn't possibly cheat on my wife.
    It seems unlikely, but, yes, they could possibly win even now.
    The police don't know him, and the information they have leads them to think he could possibly have murdered his wife.

    Related terms

    * by chance * mayhap * peradventure * perchance * incidentally * contingently

    Synonyms

    * conceivably, maybe, perhaps, potentially

    Antonyms

    * impossibly * inevitably * certainly

    apparently

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.
  • * (rfdate) ,
    • If he should scorn me so apparently .
  • Seemingly; in appearance only.
    • A man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.
  • According to what the speaker has read or been told.
    • Apparently you are quite a good dancer.
  • * 2006 , Lois Lewandowski, The Fatal Heir: A Gillian Jones Mystery , iUniverse, 978-0-595-39843-0, page 169:
    • ""

    Synonyms

    * (in a way that is manifest) obviously, plainly, clearly, evidently * (in appearance only) ostensibly, seemingly * (according to what one has heard) allegedly

    References

    * * English hedges English modal adverbs