by and large

adverb

Definition of by and largenext
as in mostly
for the most part by and large, that information is accurate

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 by and large Being a friend and a neighbor Crowd responses following the reading and Q&A were, by and large, positive. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026 Tastes have grown drier in the 127 years since it was invented, and the general public, by and large, doesn’t drink dessert cocktails anymore. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 Florida parents are, by and large, still choosing to send their children to public schools. — Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026 And the spenders have, by and large, been the only ones with a true shot at the championship. — Molly Geary, Sportico.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for by and large
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by and large
  1. mostly
  2. mainly
  3. primarily
  4. chiefly
  5. largely
  6. predominantly
  7. basically
  8. principally
Adverb
  • But, mostly, remain with the bedrock of what fueled the Big Three success more than a decade ago and then the Heat’s NBA Final trips success thereafter.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Gastrotypographicalassemblage is an approximately eight-by-thirty-four-foot wooden mural composed mostly of culinary terms set in expressive three-dimensional typefaces.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 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
  • 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
  • Morningstar analyst Loredana Muharremi told CNBC Wednesday's weakness in European defense stocks was largely sentiment-driven.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The durable material is known to attract sea life to areas that are largely void of fish, creating a destination for fishing boats.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • On an October weekend, his heavy schedule of stops included greeting people at the annual Boll Weevil Fall Festival in Enterprise, a predominantly white city of about 31,000.
    — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The district’s Latino electorate is predominantly young, working-class, and migratory – a demographic that historically tracks lower in voter turnout, according to several studies.
    — Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • Last year, Mercedes F1 revenue was £633 million ($849 million), which was basically flat from the prior campaign.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Klum and her team started thinking about this year's ensemble basically the minute Halloween 2025 ended.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of basically
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

Browse Nearby Words

by-and-bys
by and large
by-blow
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Cite this Entry

“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by%20and%20large. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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