Synonyms of chiefly

chiefly

adverb

ˈchē-flē 

as in mainly

for the most part

our video collection consists chiefly of comedies, but we have a few horror movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mainly
• mostly
• primarily
• largely
• principally
• predominantly
• generally
• basically
• substantially
• partly
• usually
• in general
• normally
• typically
• commonly
• most
• on the whole
• partially
• altogether
• practically
• by and large
• broadly
• overall
• frequently
• virtually
• nearly
• approximately
• somewhat
• ordinarily
• roughly
• rather
• some
• more or less
• much
• next to
• well-nigh
• about
• nigh
• plus or minus
• near
• incompletely

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• entirely
• wholly
• fully
• completely
• thoroughly
• perfectly
• totally
• just
• scarcely
• hardly
• barely
• absolutely
• minimally
• marginally
• unqualifiedly
• categorically

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of chiefly

But its unique setup means Pinnacol faces a competitive disadvantage — chiefly, an inability to operate across state lines in an increasingly national employment market — that threatens its long-term viability, backers of privatizing the agency say. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 7 Apr. 2026

For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026

Control over the strait is now the regime’s greatest source of leverage, and the war’s outcome will depend chiefly on whether Iran still holds sway over it, and thus global energy markets. —Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 3 Apr. 2026

Those who read chiefly for pleasure are more comfortable letting details blur. —Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026