Synonyms of primarily

primarily

adverb

prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 

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

• originally
• initially
• at first
• to start with
• firstly
• incipiently
• primitively

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• finally
• ultimately
• lastly

2

as in mainly

for the most part

ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of primarily

That price is paid primarily by the poorer countries where the main ingredient of fishmeal is harvested and processed. — Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

The two Democrats are facing off for Northern California’s 4th Congressional District, a primarily blue seat that has been won by Thompson mostly with ease since 1998. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026

O’Hare’s travel expenses are primarily for filling up his tank. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026

In addition to fentanyl, toxicology tests detected alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax; the muscle relaxant methocarbamol; and quetiapine, a medication primarily used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and, in some cases, depression. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026