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

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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 To that point, Apple brought a lawsuit against OpenAI just last Friday night — just last week — and basically accused OpenAI of trying to steal trade secrets. — Alex Crippen, CNBC, 18 July 2026 Nobody tells you that being an artist is basically a logistics company, a shipping company, and a law office that occasionally gets to make art. — Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 In the absence of phony injuries, World Cup athletic trainers have had little cause to deploy the dermal refrigerant, which basically functions as an aerosolized placebo. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026 The 20th District, which was changed this year, is basically a square in the central part of Broward, all north of Interstate 595. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 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
  • Hughes’ fall on this list mostly stems from major growth from others above him and the lack of term left on his deal.
    — Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • That case focused mostly on the details of the knife attack itself; the federal one delves more into questions of motive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of mostly
Adverb
  • Up until then, Silbiger had mainly documented the inner workings of Capitol Hill and the White House as a freelance photojournalist in Washington, DC.
    — Sarah Silbiger, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • Earlier research works explored this phenomenon mainly in isolated laboratory systems or as a way to deliberately control quantum states.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026
Definition of mainly
Adverb
  • Called the Georgia Power 100, these players are chosen primarily on their high school production track record, though college potential is considered.
    — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 July 2026
  • Rittenhouse’s research primarily deals with studying endangered and threatened bat species and impacts of land planning and management uses.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of primarily
Adverb
  • As camera adoption has become more widespread in recent years, those concerns have largely faded away, according to Common Council President Sabrina Madison.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
  • What today's affordable new homes offer—and the tradeoffs Where buyers are most likely to find a deal on new construction depends largely on the local market.
    — Mike Winters, CNBC, 23 July 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • But Elliot’s best argument is ultimately himself—chiefly, his own vigorous libido, which his workaholic medical-student girlfriend, Minerva (a deader-than-deadpan Charli XCX), has long since lost interest in satiating.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 24 July 2026
  • But this is surely the least fabled World Cup in history, and remembered chiefly for the political tensions shortly before the following year’s outbreak of the Second World War.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of chiefly
Adverb
  • Once known predominantly for projecting educational installations at museums and aquariums, IMAX spent decades trying to break into the mainstream, though its limited network of theatres and analog-only format proved prohibitive for major studios.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
  • So have members of the predominantly Black church where her body was discovered May 8.
    — Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • Tournament football isn’t generally conducive to pressing, with so many matches squeezed into such a short window, and without the cohesion that comes from club sides training together for months.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Checks are generally distributed on Wednesdays, based on the day of the month you were born.
    — Brian Sloan, CNBC, 21 July 2026
Definition of generally
Adverb
  • Although some of these new institutions may adopt the name college, they won't be architected around classrooms and their business model won't be principally tuition-based.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The war within the Republican Party was not principally an ideological war, though.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 July 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 27 Jul. 2026.

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