Synonyms of initially

initially

adverb

i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē 

as in originally

in the beginning

we initially intended to rebuild our hurricane-damaged home from the ground up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• originally
• primarily
• to start with
• at first
• firstly
• incipiently
• primitively

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• finally
• ultimately
• lastly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of initially

The first officer said requests for time off were regularly refused or canceled after initially being approved. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026

While the sheriff initially indicated investigators didn’t see signs of foul play, Wells’ parents suspect that something more nefarious could have happened. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 July 2026

Third base coach Gary Pettis initially held Drew Gilbert, the runner on second, but Pettis waved Gilbert home once Raley committed the error. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Cops initially took one person into custody for the incident at the scene, but he was later released without charges, officials said. — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026