INITIALLY Synonyms: 10 Similar and Opposite Words

initially

adverb

i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē

Definition of initially

as in originally

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

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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 initially While previous iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch models were initially exempt, this new report indicates a shift. — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The man suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was initially treated at the scene by medical personnel. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 The project was initially scheduled for completion in 2025 but was pushed back to July 2026 last year before being delayed again to the end of summer. — Haley Parsley august 8, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The crash was initially reported to have involved a pedestrian. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for initially

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initially

originally

Adverb

Cameroon originally failed to qualify for the tournament but earned a spot when the Confederation of African Football decided to expand the tournament to 16 teams in November.

— Emily Olsen, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The Bible is widely read and loved in spite of the fact that most people don’t speak any of the languages in which it was originally written.

— The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of originally

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initialing

initially

initials

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“Initially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/initially. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of initially

adverb

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