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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 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
  1. mostly
  2. mainly
  3. primarily
  4. largely
  5. chiefly
  6. predominantly
  7. generally
  8. principally
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
  • The culprits are Aedes aegypti, primarily daytime biters that thrive in urban and suburban areas and breed in flowerpots, buckets and other smaller containers, said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control.
    — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Zeek Biggers has worked as a six-technique defensive end, primarily playing on obvious running downs.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of primarily
Adverb
  • She’s haunted by her divorce from Donn, and her greatest fear is being alone, which is becoming more and more of a real possibility, especially since her family has largely moved away.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Kai-Fu Lee’s AI Superpowers, an influential book published in 2018, largely predicted the current tech battle between the US and China.
    — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 18 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
  • In the end, the winners were predominantly white and the speeches were inarguably neutral.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Biomass power, predominantly generated by burning wood, is growing globally as countries accelerate their transition to use cleaner energy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of predominantly
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
  • Federal regulators already treat it differently from many other digital assets, and the legislation was principally intended to create a broader framework governing how cryptocurrencies are issued, sold and regulated.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Asking an 18- or 21-year-old athlete to sacrifice some portion of a present opportunity for an uncertain benefit that may principally accrue to someone else five or 10 years in the future is an inherently difficult organizing proposition.
    — Chris Corr, Sportico.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of principally

Browse Nearby Words

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basics
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Cite this Entry

“Basically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/basically. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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