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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Recent Examples of ordinarily
The weather blew away any hope of the team arriving in NYC by early morning as planned, and several late-night texts revealed what might ordinarily be described as a white-knuckle drive, only nobody was holding the steering wheel.
—
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Watson, who ordinarily comes off the bench for Denver, was named Western Conference Player of the Week by the NBA on Monday.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
When he was finally called to the microphone, Rubio began what has become a familiar routine, offering Trump the kind of adulation that is ordinarily reserved for heroes.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The Energy Department doesn’t get involved in those decisions ordinarily.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
Byron Hurd, The Drive, 22 Jan. 2026
Watson, who ordinarily comes off the bench for Denver, was named Western Conference Player of the Week by the NBA on Monday.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026
When he was finally called to the microphone, Rubio began what has become a familiar routine, offering Trump the kind of adulation that is ordinarily reserved for heroes.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The Energy Department doesn’t get involved in those decisions ordinarily.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinarily
Adverb
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Normal temperatures for mid-February, calculated as 30-year averages, would usually be closer to 60 degrees.—
Julia James,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Ventilation prevents moisture that can cause smelly mold, so make sure to keep the air circulating and open any rooms that are usually closed off.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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This leads to bleeding, pain, and infection, as well as an inability to chew food normally.—
Dr. John De Jong,
Boston Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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Her writing engaged pretty directly with conversations pop stars aren’t normally invited to be part of — and people were paying attention.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
15 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The lumber yard manager typically pays in the $300 range to heat his 1,500-square-foot house in Cincinnati, Ohio.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Dwyer said his clients are concerned their children, typically between age 22 and 35, are struggling to secure and hang on to jobs that are historically associated with security and status, including technology, law, and health care.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordinarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinarily. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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