CHIEFLY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

chiefly

adverb

ˈchē-flē

Definition of chiefly

as in mainly

for the most part our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 chiefly The record was chiefly produced by Jepsen mainstay Kyle Shearer, who provides Day and Night‘s most danceable tracks, while Bullion, CJ Baran, Magnus Lidehäll, and more, make appearances too. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2026 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 Beyond overall car performance, a pressing concern for Cadillac this year has been reliability, chiefly recurring brake overheating issues (below). — Luke Smith, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chiefly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chiefly

Adverb

The changes mainly pertain to nonresident waterfowl hunting hours, reopening the fall turkey season, and changes to state park entrance and camping fees.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
The charges stemmed from fighting more than a decade ago between the predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels who seized power from then-President François Bozizé, and a mainly Christian militia called the anti-Balaka.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of mainly

Adverb

The rest of the women have pretty much accepted Vicki’s temperament by now and mostly operate around her, enjoying the refreshing Miami energy after the bumpiness of the previous parties.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
The film’s cast is mostly made up of tribal non-actors, but Anghlong Konyak is its captivating center, as a man whose stubbornness against change sits alongside a lingering grief over his fading way of life.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of mostly

Adverb

The resort is adults-only and designed primarily for couples rather than groups, with bookings limited to two rooms with two guests per room.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Reinhart’s character, Olive Smith, is primarily seen wearing her lab coat, but outside of the laboratory, she is dressed in red, blue and green outfits.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of primarily

Adverb

Vargo has largely self-funded her run for commissioner through personal loans to her campaign totaling more than $77,000, according to campaign finance records.

— Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
The review has intensified debate over Israel’s claims that some slain reporters were militants, as foreign journalists remain largely barred from entering Gaza.

— Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of largely

Adverb

Pretoria wants American investors to build smelters, factories, and processing facilities in South Africa, rather than relying principally on conventional offtake agreements with local mines.

— Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of principally

Adverb

In 2020, researchers described nearly 1,000 independent horizontal transfer events in 307 vertebrate genomes, predominantly in fish.

— Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
Cousins then directed a three-play, 43-second drive that ended with White’s second TD catch and a 24-14 lead in front of a raucous, predominantly Raiders-supporting crowd at SoFi Stadium.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of predominantly

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chief justices

chiefly

chiefs

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“Chiefly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chiefly. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of chiefly

adverb

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