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

That led to cycles of reform and renovation, as well as backlash, chiefly from cultural conservatives, who saw the adoption of western European habits and attitudes as abominable and even heretical. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

The findings may also illustrate a broader lack of retirement confidence among employees, experts said, in an era when Americans are expected to do their own retirement saving, chiefly through IRAs and 401(k)s. — Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026

One unusual thing about the Dead is that the bulk of their oeuvre was penned by non-performing songwriters, chiefly Robert Hunter, who collaborated mainly with Jerry Garcia. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Denise has also been keeping secrets, chiefly about the manuscript for a novel she’s been banging out on a typewriter in the basement, one that happens to be about a woman who fantasizes about leaving her family behind for life in New York. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026