essentially
adverb
es·sen·tial·ly
i-ˈsen(t)-shə-lē 
-ˈsench-lē
: in essence : fundamentally
—used to identify or stress the basic or essential character or nature of a person or thing or to say that a description is basically true or accurate
He's essentially a good man.
… painting, essentially a two-dimensional art …—
Herbert Read
Herbert ReadThe fact that so many bloggers are essentially anonymous allows them to spew rancor, rumor, lies, and obscenities.—Gil Troy
Gil TroyAphids feed on the sugary phloem of plants. Essentially they steal the product of photosynthesis.—Caleb Rounds
Caleb RoundsExamples of essentially in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If the Panthers and Buccaneers enter Week 18 at 8-8, the season finale would essentially be a playoff game, with the winner going to the postseason with a division crown.
—Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
Facing fourth down with 11 seconds left, quarterback Angelo Renda fell backwards toward the end zone and the line judge, also the closest official, called a TD — officials talked about it and reversed the call, essentially sealing a DeSoto victory.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Dec. 2025
The White House response correctly notes that essentially every president makes some changes to the White House.
—Bill Barrow, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
The team’s decision to reject a bowl invitation and end their season after being denied a College Football Playoff slot didn’t go over well with many fans and sports pundits, who accused the Fighting Irish, essentially, of taking their ball and going home.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
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Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
Facing fourth down with 11 seconds left, quarterback Angelo Renda fell backwards toward the end zone and the line judge, also the closest official, called a TD — officials talked about it and reversed the call, essentially sealing a DeSoto victory.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Dec. 2025
The White House response correctly notes that essentially every president makes some changes to the White House.
—Bill Barrow, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2025
The team’s decision to reject a bowl invitation and end their season after being denied a College Football Playoff slot didn’t go over well with many fans and sports pundits, who accused the Fighting Irish, essentially, of taking their ball and going home.
—Robert Abitbol, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for essentially
Cite this Entry
“Essentially.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essentially. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
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