basically

adverb

ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce basically (audio)
Definition of basicallynext
as in mostly
for the most part your answer is basically correct

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of basically Congress has been basically giving away its own power for a quarter of a century. — Franco Ordoñez, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 After Cathy leaves, Lee is basically the sole parent of Cal and Aron for the first year of their lives. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 Competitive price is basically a precondition to be in consideration of the customer. — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 The iPhone 18 hit basically the same numbers with 843Mbps down and 649Mbps up. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for basically
Recent Examples of Synonyms for basically
  1. mostly
  2. mainly
  3. primarily
  4. largely
  5. chiefly
  6. predominantly
  7. generally
  8. principally
Adverb
  • From SportsCenter star to CEO Eisen, 57, worked for ESPN from 1996 to 2003, mostly anchoring SportsCenter during the show’s cultural peak.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Throughout the 1980s, ‘90s and into the early 2000s, top schools played their exhibitions against elite amateur teams made up mostly of former college athletes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of mostly
Adverb
  • The decor is retro-futuristic, mainly white but for the dark wood paneling on one wall and the ceiling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Such liabilities have been growing across the entire AI trade, mainly in the form of lease obligations.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mainly
Adverb
  • Conventionally, such vessels are primarily designed to support amphibious operations, transport military personnel, deploy helicopters and facilitate landing operations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Silver Cloud primarily sails the Arctic and Antarctica, with more exploratory itineraries in-between, like in the Middle East or Africa.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of primarily
Adverb
  • The founders argue that existing air freight networks leave thousands of smaller airports largely unused for commercial cargo transportation.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • There’s likely to be more drama for Democratic positions lower on the ladder, largely for challenges to sitting committee leaders.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • Billionaires have poured hundreds of millions into super political action committees (super PACs) for campaign ads—chiefly supporting Republican candidates in tight Senate races.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of chiefly
Adverb
  • Brazil’s predominantly left-leaning film industry and its international counterpart have not stood on the sidelines.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026
  • During his stint as president from 2006 to 2010, the company sold predominantly $200 and $300 jeans to affluent department-store shoppers with household incomes around $250,000.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • Consumers have generally soured on an economy weighed down by more expensive gas, groceries, and clothing, among other items.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Storing heat between peaks Unlike solar and wind installations, conventional nuclear power plants are generally designed to produce electricity continuously.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of generally
Adverb
  • Republicans have a few targets on the board still, principally in Michigan, but also New Hampshire and Minnesota.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Both the founders had worked at other New York galleries, Klein principally with Bertrand Delacroix and Massey at Mulherin and Pollard.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of principally

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Cite this Entry

“Basically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basically. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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