Synonyms of on the whole

on the whole

phrase

1

as in primarily

for the most part

On the whole I like seafood, but I won't eat oysters.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in usually

according to the usual course of things

On the whole it begins getting dark earlier as winter approaches.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• usually
• normally
• typically
• naturally
• generally
• commonly
• ordinarily
• of course
• as a rule
• regularly
• needless to say
• routinely
• habitually
• natch
• customarily
• traditionally
• familiarly
• conventionally

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unusually
• abnormally
• uncommonly
• extraordinarily
• peculiarly
• strangely
• oddly
• anomalously
• irregularly
• atypically
• weirdly
• untypically
• radically
• funnily
• queerly

with everyone or everything taken into account at the same time

On the whole, it was a great trip.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of on the whole

Some individual defenders have played well, but on the whole, the defense has been abysmal, and it can’t be blamed solely on injuries to players like Lindor and Marcus Semien. — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

There were a few scientific papers that came out of the journey and some useful geological and survey work, but on the whole, the expedition’s accomplishments were minor. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2026

Some characteristics can, however, be defined as on the whole necessary for any beach and any mood. — Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

For the first time in a while, there might be a case to be made that the Eastern Conference is better than the Western Conference on the whole. — Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026