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
Relevance
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
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Recent Examples of primarily
In 2022, Helmig announced that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which primarily affected his speech.
—
Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Jan. 2026
By contrast, the Technic set is a much breezier affair, but as the name suggests, it's also made primarily from Technic Lego.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Finally, the people included in the UK Biobank are primarily White and tend to have better health than the general population, the researchers noted, which means the results may not be widely generalized.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Analysts are primarily looking for details on Meta’s advertising strength and AI spending plans.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primarily
Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Jan. 2026
By contrast, the Technic set is a much breezier affair, but as the name suggests, it's also made primarily from Technic Lego.
—Ian Stokes, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Finally, the people included in the UK Biobank are primarily White and tend to have better health than the general population, the researchers noted, which means the results may not be widely generalized.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Analysts are primarily looking for details on Meta’s advertising strength and AI spending plans.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for primarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primarily
Adverb
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Nampa detectives eventually learned about Salat’s case in Ada County, where he originally was charged with three counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16, court records show.—
Rose Evans,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2026
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Officials originally proposed upgrading the city’s largest cricket stadium, The Gabba, to accommodate the Games, though the project’s price tag was heavily criticized.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Until recently, Kei cars have been mainly internal combustion engine powered, but Suzuki recently unveiled its Vision e-Sky concept electric Kei car.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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It was followed by professional and business services, adding 1,100, and government (mainly education), adding 1,000.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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That contrasts with traditional bespoke or site-built houses, put up mostly on the property.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
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Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid released from mushrooms is mostly evaporated and mushrooms are deep golden brown, 2–3 minutes more.—
Hana Asbrink,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Fenerbahce offered to take up Duran’s salary on a season-long loan at the start of July, yet his time in Turkey has been slow-going, chiefly down to injury.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
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The essay needed to be written because no prominent voices are addressing the distinct possibility that Iran’s ethnics might secede, chiefly the larger ones with kin across borders.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Most of this labor force participation disruption has been caused by adults taking what used to be jobs predominantly filled by young people.—
Brandon Busteed,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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On several occasions, agents unleashed tear gas on crowds that were predominantly peaceful, Ellis said.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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The European Union agreed Thursday to list Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization over Tehran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, the bloc's top diplomat said, in a largely symbolic move that adds to international pressure on the Islamic Republic.—
SAM McNEIL AND JON GAMBRELL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
30 Jan. 2026
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Growth in services consumption outpacing goods expenditure largely reflects rising average income levels and would likely have occurred even without policy support, said Duncan Wrigley, chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The most common type of gallstone consists principally of cholesterol.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primarily. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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