as in chiefly
for the most part
the tourists were principally concerned with the quantity of the food, and only secondarily with the quality
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of principally
This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The most common type of gallstone consists principally of cholesterol.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
This will require data-sharing from other city agencies, principally NYPD.
—Daniela Gilbert, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Of course, bringing the Robertson story to life through that brilliant and vivid sound and music, but principally through incredibly in-depth character interviews.
—Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025
Located just 480 light years from Earth, this reflection nebula, known as the Taurus Molecular Cloud, is illuminated principally by the three bright stars in the center of the image.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Experienced cooks will know that this matters, and not principally for feeding hungry mouths sooner.
—New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s to quash electromagnetic noise—principally coming from power lines—that invariably gets picked up by the coils.
—David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
Besides studying dark matter and dark energy, one of Roman's core surveys will be the Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey, in which millions of stars in the central bulge of the Milky Way galaxy will be studied, principally to look for exoplanets.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The most common type of gallstone consists principally of cholesterol.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
This will require data-sharing from other city agencies, principally NYPD.
—Daniela Gilbert, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026
Of course, bringing the Robertson story to life through that brilliant and vivid sound and music, but principally through incredibly in-depth character interviews.
—Kathleen Rellihan, Outside, 28 Dec. 2025
Located just 480 light years from Earth, this reflection nebula, known as the Taurus Molecular Cloud, is illuminated principally by the three bright stars in the center of the image.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
Experienced cooks will know that this matters, and not principally for feeding hungry mouths sooner.
—New Atlas, 27 Nov. 2025
That’s to quash electromagnetic noise—principally coming from power lines—that invariably gets picked up by the coils.
—David Schneider, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2025
Besides studying dark matter and dark energy, one of Roman's core surveys will be the Galactic Bulge Time-Domain Survey, in which millions of stars in the central bulge of the Milky Way galaxy will be studied, principally to look for exoplanets.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for principally
Adverb
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Diggy Coit, who scored 43 points Sunday in Maryland's win over Penn State, was held to 15 points and guarded primarily by Stojakovic.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
While primarily developed for treating battlefield wounds, the researchers say that AGCL can naturally be used in standard emergency medicine and surgical applications.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
That contrasts with traditional bespoke or site-built houses, put up mostly on the property.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
-
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
-
While speaking in Toledo, Vance largely reiterated the administration’s points that acquiring Greenland would boost American national security interests and its critical minerals supply chain.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Greenland also possesses vast, largely untapped mineral reserves, including rare earths critical to advanced technology and military systems.—
Paul McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The pair is slated to feature a predominantly red upper with matching red elephant print overlays, a cream tongue, eyestay and midsole and a black heel, liner and outsole.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
22 Jan. 2026
-
More recent on-screen projects have predominantly been animated.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Principally.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/principally. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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