BY AND LARGE Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

by and large

adverb

Definition of by and large

as in mostly

for the most part by and large, that information is accurate

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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 by and large The west Sonoma coast is, by and large, a forbidding place, even for grapes. — Patrick Comiskey, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 There are exceptions but by and large those awards are for a select few. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Politicians, by and large, opt for quick fixes, like buying the latest firefighting gear, which makes for a better photo op. — Gerry Hadden, Christian Science Monitor, 27 July 2026 Monday was, by and large, a refreshing day in the Love Island villa. — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for by and large

Recent Examples of Synonyms for by and large

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

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

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

Oregon, meanwhile, faced a terrific test, and Moore was basically the reason the Ducks won.

— Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
When kids first got online, parents were bewildered and alarmed, but kids, who tend to gravitate to new technology, found freedom in a space that was basically ungoverned.

— Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of basically

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

Browse Nearby Words

by-and-bys

by and large

by-blow

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“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by%20and%20large. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of by and large

adverb

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