miraculously

miraculously — adverb

1. describing an event that happens in such a surprisingly fortunate way that it se

1.adverbB2
Definition

describing an event that happens in such a surprisingly fortunate way that it seems like a miracle is the only explanation

Example

Theo survived the car crash miraculously, walking away with only a few cuts and bruises.

adverb after verb: survived + miraculously

Miraculously, not one home in the village was destroyed by the floodwaters.

sentence adverb: Miraculously, + full clause

Common collocations
  • miraculously alive
  • miraculously survived
  • miraculously recovered
  • miraculously reappeared
  • miraculously unharmed
  • miraculously escaped
Synonyms
  • astonishingly

    focuses on how surprising the event is, without the spiritual or lucky connotation

  • incredibly

    less formal; emphasises how hard the outcome is to believe

  • remarkably

    stresses how unusual or exceptional the event is, often in a neutral or positive way

  • inexplicably

    emphasises that no rational explanation exists, not necessarily lucky

Antonyms
  • predictably

    opposite: the outcome happened exactly as expected

  • inevitably

    opposite: the outcome was logically unavoidable

Grammar Patterns

miraculously + clause (sentence adverb)

verb + miraculously (end position)

miraculously + adjective (pre-modifier)

Usage Note

Often used to describe fortunate or life-saving outcomes that seem beyond normal explanation. Can function as a sentence adverb modifying an entire clause — for example, 'Miraculously, the plane landed safely.' Reserve it for events that feel almost impossible, not merely convenient.

Common Mistakes

I miraculously found a parking spot.' (routine event)
I miraculously found a parking spot right in front of the theater during the New Year parade.
Use 'miraculously' only when the outcome seems almost impossible, not just slightly convenient.
She miraculously got a B on the test.' (good but not astonishing)
She miraculously passed the final exam despite missing half the classes.
The word should convey a sense of wonder or disbelief.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four words all describe something surprising, but 'miraculously' is unique in suggesting a force beyond normal explanation — as if luck, fate, or divine intervention played a role. 'Astonishingly' is closer in register but lacks the fortunate, thankful tone; you could say 'astonishingly, no one complained' (pure surprise), but 'miraculously, no one complained' implies deep relief. 'Incredibly' is more informal and widely used: 'The test was incredibly hard.' 'Remarkably' highlights the exceptional nature of the event ('remarkably well preserved') without the spiritual undertone. 'Inexplicably' removes the lucky element: 'The door inexplicably swung open' (mysterious, not fortunate). For a learner, the key rule is: reserve 'miraculously' for outcomes that feel both impossible and deeply fortunate — a lost ring found, a village spared, a patient healed against all odds.

astonishinglyincredibly ↗remarkably ↗inexplicably

Common collocations

Phrases

  • as if by a miracle
  • by some miracle

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin word 'miraculum', meaning a wonder or marvel. This passed into Late Latin as 'miraculosus', then into Old French, and finally into Middle English as 'miraculous'. The suffix '-ly' was added to form the adverb. The core idea — an event that inspires wonder — has remained constant for over six hundred years.