fundamentally

[ fuhn-duh-men-tl-ee ]

adverb

1. in a fundamental and essential way; centrally and foundationally:

   a nine-point plan that will fundamentally transform our system of eldercare.

2. as regards the basic nature, character, or truth of something; basically and often emphatically:

   Fundamentally, they just want their independence.

Other Words From

• non·fun·da·men·tal·ly adverb
• un·fun·da·men·tal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fundamentally¹

First recorded in 1600–20; fundamental ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

But fundamentally, the crux of the problem persists.

From Salon

If any leader were to take a vote to put them in office for some temporary period of time to be a total transfer of power from the people to them, they will fundamentally misunderstand democracy, and if we allow them to do that, they will fundamentally destroy democracy.

From Slate

Our task is to recognize the imperfections, to accept that the rules are part of our journey together, that they don’t fundamentally negate that an election took place and somebody won it under the rules that existed at the time.

From Slate

Ian Bassin: First, let’s talk about what it means to have someone elected through a democratic process who has shown themselves to be fundamentally an opponent of the democratic process.

From Slate

"I think there are some changes that need to be made and fundamentally around just enabling the membership, the athletes, the National Olympic Committees, the international federations, partners, broadcasters, to have greater skin in the game and to help structure the future," he said.

From BBC