BASICALLY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

basically

adverb

ˈbā-si-k(ə-)lē

Definition of basically

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 The fungus basically created a water-resistant, self-cleaning coating without any external chemicals. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 That means Nina is basically forcing him and his team to go out of their way to stop the remaining voters. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 The hospital basically told me to get over it and sleep it off but the pain was traumatic physically and mentally. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026 Cyber is basically becoming a duopoly between Palo Alto and CrowdStrike . — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for basically

Recent Examples of Synonyms for basically

Adverb

For motorists with electric vehicles, the average kilowatt hour cost at charging stations in Florida on Sunday rounded up to 41 cents, a rate mostly unchanged since early March.

— News Service Of Florida, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Sweaters, which are mostly made in Turkey, retail for $295 to $395 for the core line and $395 to $900 for the Italian collection.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of mostly

Adverb

In the last decade Germany has sheltered millions of refugees, mainly from Syria and other troubled countries in the Middle East.

— Erik Kirschbaum, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
There are only a handful of performances currently scheduled at the Kennedy Center, mainly at the adjacent facility known as the REACH.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of mainly

Adverb

Williams has the versatility to play inside and out, despite playing primarily in the slot in college.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Larson notes that whole-wheat or whole-grain crust generally provides more fiber and micronutrients such as magnesium than crust made primarily from refined white flour.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of primarily

Adverb

Rea has largely been in mop-up duty since moving out of the rotation.

— Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
That’s a big deal for folks that aren’t necessarily experts on government ethics rules — the president, not just this president, but all presidents have been largely exempt from any conflicts of interest rules.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of largely

Adverb

That would mean that repetition, rather than representation, is chiefly at stake—a hypnotic ritual.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Many of the dozens missing in its environs were foreign nationals, chiefly Indian or Indian-origin pilgrims who were returning from, or preparing to make, the journey further into Tibet to Mount Kailash, a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of chiefly

Adverb

Many tech leaders generally say their goal is to develop the technology in ways that promote safety, address legal liability, feed economic growth, advance science and preserve national security.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Sep. 2026
Potential Risks of Drinking Green Tea Green tea is generally considered safe and healthy when consumed in normal amounts, such as a few cups a day.

— Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of generally

Adverb

Their focus is principally Travis Kelce, who is reclined on an outdoor sofa, posing for a Tommy Hilfiger campaign.

— Nick Remsen, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI and LLMs such as ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and others.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of principally

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basics

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“Basically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basically. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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adverb

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Synonyms of basically

adverb

Example Sentences

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Commonly Misspelled Words

Cite this Entry

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