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

This shift focuses primarily on visuals, with a new logo and campaign imagery. — Alice Cary, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2026

The Volcanic Explosivity Index, or VEI, was created primarily for terrestrial eruptions and cannot be transferred directly to worlds with weaker gravity, thinner atmospheres, and different volcanic materials. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

They were previously named by their colors, but are primarily named by words that children can see themselves as. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Smith, who also co-owns The Baltimore Sun, is known to Maryland primarily as a businessman and entrepreneur who has spent decades building companies and creating institutions. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 22 Aug. 2026