1
: most importantly : principally, especially
Examples of chiefly in a Sentence
Adverb
our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Amidst the frenzy of it all, Bradley has his vision locked chiefly on one thing.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
Our own arcane and slow processes are chiefly to blame.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chiefly
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Adverb
The effect in football occurs in various forms, but chiefly when comparing individual players.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Amidst the frenzy of it all, Bradley has his vision locked chiefly on one thing.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
As the number of seniors skyrockets, government obligations for the welfare of the elderly, chiefly pensions and health care, have ballooned.
—Mark L. Haas, Foreign Affairs, 24 July 2025
Our own arcane and slow processes are chiefly to blame.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for chiefly
Cite this Entry
“Chiefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiefly. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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