Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Absolute and without any doubt or conditions: Used to describe a statement, denial, or refusal that is completely clear, direct, and leaves no room for argument or exception.
   • Relating to or included in a category or categories: Pertaining to the classification of things into groups based on shared characteristics.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Absolute):
  • The CEO issued a categoric denial of the merger rumors.
  • She gave a categoric refusal to the proposal.
• Adjective (Relating to categories):
  • The study examined the categoric differences between the two species.
  • This is a purely categoric distinction, not a judgment of value.

Advanced Usage

• "categoric statement": A declaration that is unconditional and definitive.
  • The witness made a categoric statement about what she saw.
• "categoric imperative": In philosophy, a moral obligation that is unconditional and universally binding.
  • Kant's philosophy is famous for the concept of the categoric imperative.

Variants and Related Words

• Categorical (adj): The more common variant, identical in meaning to 'categoric'.
  • He made a categorical promise.
• Categorically (adv): In an absolute and unconditional manner.
  • The allegations were categorically false.

Synonyms

• Absolute: Complete and not qualified or diminished in any way.
• Unconditional: Not subject to any conditions.
• Unequivocal: Leaving no doubt; unambiguous.
• Emphatic: Expressed with emphasis; forceful and definite.

Antonyms

• Qualified: Limited or modified in some way; not absolute.
• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not clear.
• Tentative: Not certain or fixed; provisional.

Adjective

1. not modified or restricted by reservations
   • a categorical denial
   • a flat refusal
2. relating to or included in a category or categories