primarily

adverb

prī-ˈmer-ə-lē How to pronounce primarily (audio)
Definition of primarilynext
1
as in originally
in the beginning the university was primarily an agricultural college when it was founded over two centuries ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mainly
for the most part ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 primarily Keller, a Central Michigan commit, patiently waited his turn behind star Trevor Gibbs and was used primarily as a blocker last year. — Noah Poser, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026 Washington is heavily reliant on imports, primarily from South Africa, home to the world’s largest reserves and production. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026 The distinction therefore concerns primarily the way clothing is made and sold rather than its quality or prestige. — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026 Motorists will be detoured primarily along Interstates 710 and 110, State Route 103 and Harry Bridges Boulevard. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for primarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primarily
  1. originally
  2. mainly
  3. mostly
  4. chiefly
  5. predominantly
  6. largely
  7. principally
Adverb
  • The protesters, mostly young and dressed in black congregated in front of police lines leading to Place de la Nation, where the organizers had originally intended to end the march.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • On Saturday morning, police cleared Place de la Bastille, where protesters had originally been expected to gather.
    — Richard Engel, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of originally
Adverb
  • The decor is retro-futuristic, mainly white but for the dark wood paneling on one wall and the ceiling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Such liabilities have been growing across the entire AI trade, mainly in the form of lease obligations.
    — Kif Leswing,Isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of mainly
Adverb
  • But, mostly, remain with the bedrock of what fueled the Big Three success more than a decade ago and then the Heat’s NBA Final trips success thereafter.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Gastrotypographicalassemblage is an approximately eight-by-thirty-four-foot wooden mural composed mostly of culinary terms set in expressive three-dimensional typefaces.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of mostly
Adverb
  • Billionaires have poured hundreds of millions into super political action committees (super PACs) for campaign ads—chiefly supporting Republican candidates in tight Senate races.
    — Connor Greene, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Long before launch, the team faced obstacles that nearly thwarted the endeavor — chiefly, two rejections from NASA — before finally securing the green light for the $1 billion project under the New Frontiers Program in 2011.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of chiefly
Adverb
  • On an October weekend, his heavy schedule of stops included greeting people at the annual Boll Weevil Fall Festival in Enterprise, a predominantly white city of about 31,000.
    — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The district’s Latino electorate is predominantly young, working-class, and migratory – a demographic that historically tracks lower in voter turnout, according to several studies.
    — Cindy Carcamo, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • Morningstar analyst Loredana Muharremi told CNBC Wednesday's weakness in European defense stocks was largely sentiment-driven.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The durable material is known to attract sea life to areas that are largely void of fish, creating a destination for fishing boats.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • Ready-to-wear Ready-to-wear, known in French as prêt-à-porter, differs from couture principally in that garments are designed to be produced repeatedly rather than for a single wearer.
    — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • One family had become an institution, while the other remained a collection of individuals connected principally by ownership.
    — Walid Chiniara, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of principally

Browse Nearby Words

primal
primarily
primary
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Cite this Entry

“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primarily. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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