as in usually
according to the usual course of things
ordinarily, I get off work at five, but this week I'm working late to meet a project deadline
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ordinarily
In addition to the disturbing images flowing out of Washington, of significant concern is that owners of bars and restaurants in what ordinarily is a thriving and youthfully active city are reporting significant declines in business.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The social and academic boundaries that ordinarily define school life are charmingly porous at Refresh: teenagers ungrudgingly do crafts next to six-year-olds, and during recess some kids split off to help the adults with renovations at the main house.
—Chandler Fritz, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
That might be one reason Zak Starkey has blown up into such a cult hero for people who ordinarily don’t care a thing about lineup changes in classic rock bands.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025
Without that flexibility, agencies would ordinarily spend months negotiating their own terms for use of the technology.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
The social and academic boundaries that ordinarily define school life are charmingly porous at Refresh: teenagers ungrudgingly do crafts next to six-year-olds, and during recess some kids split off to help the adults with renovations at the main house.
—Chandler Fritz, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
That might be one reason Zak Starkey has blown up into such a cult hero for people who ordinarily don’t care a thing about lineup changes in classic rock bands.
—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2025
Without that flexibility, agencies would ordinarily spend months negotiating their own terms for use of the technology.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinarily
Adverb
-
Similar complaints were made in the 1990s and 2000s building boom that led to a series of functional stadia springing up across the UK, usually complete with bare breeze block walls that gave a pre-match pint on the concourse all the appeal of an evening spent down the local multi-story car park.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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If you’re tempted, act fast because Amazon prices like this usually won't hang around.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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An estimated 20,000 people normally attend the festival over three days, Scheider said.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Butler never imagined Zimmerer – a typically non-spontaneous person – would drop everything to book a flight and travel more than 1,500 miles from Nebraska to be there.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Sandy soils, on the other hand, drain faster and are typically tested once every 2 to 3 years.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ordinarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinarily. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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