ultimately

adverb

ul·​ti·​mate·​ly ˈəl-tə-mət-lē How to pronounce ultimately (audio)
Synonyms of ultimately
1
: in the end : fundamentally
the word comes ultimately from Latin
2
: eventually
ultimately, they agreed

Synonyms of ultimately

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Examples of ultimately in a Sentence

The changes ultimately proved to be unnecessary. Ultimately, it's a question of who is more popular.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But ultimately, the project gave him the skills to continue working on something consistently. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 July 2026 Tapert admitted that such moves, while ultimately satisfying, also come with a bit of trepidation. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 Whichever show prevails could ultimately have the momentum to capture the outstanding comedy series title. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 8 July 2026 The president might be unable to get the money back if the Supreme Court reverses course and ultimately throws out the verdict, his lawyer said in the Tuesday filing. — Erik Larson, Fortune, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ultimately

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ultimately was in 1652

Browse Nearby Words

ultimate line
ultimately
ultimate mortality table
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Cite this Entry

“Ultimately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ultimately. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ultimately

Nglish: Translation of ultimately for Spanish Speakers

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