INITIALLY Synonyms: 10 Similar and Opposite Words

initially

adverb

i-ˈni-sh(ə-)lē

Definition of initially next

as in originally

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 initially The recall effort initially came in hundreds of entries short, with organizers submitting 745 signatures on May 28. —

Ilana Arougheti june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026 The state of Louisiana reportedly got involved with initially postponing the New Orleans tournament until LIV could restructure its funding. —

Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026 Police said an Oakland Housing Authority officer saw the vehicle driving erratically and tried initially to stop it. —

Harry Harris, Mercury News, 8 June 2026 Apple has fallen behind in the AI race; its Siri overhaul has faced delays, and some features shown Monday were initially slated for last year. —

Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for initially

Recent Examples of Synonyms for initially

originally

Adverb

Radical approaches to what is precious and what is worthless—or appraisal—have always been more than the inversion of that which is useless made priceless, what was originally meant to be ephemeral made timeless.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
It was announced a few days later that the Iranian authorities had decided to reactivate a six-year sentence originally meted out to Panahi in 2010 alongside a 20-year filmmaking and travel ban.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 June 2026