by and large

adverb

Definition of by and largenext
as in mostly
for the most part by and large, that information is accurate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of by and large Attorneys have said those relationships are by and large unethical, but also rare. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026 The Montblanc Collection is a fantastic ode to the label’s heritage, but a warming and wintry one by and large (leather, patchouli, oud, incense). — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 25 June 2026 In the scientific community, there are a few outliers, but by and large, there’s a pretty universal agreement among scientists that the climate crisis is real and important. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 16 June 2026 And Disneyland’s recent attraction updates have by and large been winners, as evidenced by the lovely Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the exploratory Adventureland Treehouse and the bewitching Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for by and large
Recent Examples of Synonyms for by and large
  1. mostly
  2. mainly
  3. primarily
  4. chiefly
  5. largely
  6. predominantly
  7. basically
  8. principally
Adverb
  • Plagued by criticism and scandal, it was eventually dissolved by Congress and replaced by a new commission that decided to mostly fund community celebrations.
    — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • The jurors mostly determine the truth except when there is no truth, as with the nonexistent hot-dog contest or gift competition.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of mostly
Adverb
  • The maintenance cycle appears to be driven mainly by univoltine Aedes species, mosquitoes that produce a single brood per year.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Ernest Shackleton, an Irish explorer, is remembered mainly for the 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of mainly
Adverb
  • Their tropical cocktails and frozen delights are easily crushable, primarily made with vodka, mezcal, rum and tequila.
    — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
  • Although Chicago had its issues with redlining and massive disinvestment that left generational scars on some primarily Black neighborhoods, the small town ethos held little sway over me.
    — Dawn M. Turner, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of primarily
Adverb
  • Advertisement Sea Rangers restore seagrass chiefly in the Dutch Eastern Scheldt and French Étang de Berre.
    — Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026
  • Larson has clashed chiefly with Bronin — rather than his other two opponents — during the campaign.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
Definition of chiefly
Adverb
  • Catholicism was largely presented as favorable; Jehovah’s Witnesses, not so much.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Austria had one good look — a header that just missed — but largely been kept at bay.
    — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
Definition of largely
Adverb
  • American barbecue has always been a unique mixture of cultures, predominantly Black, indigenous and European influences.
    — Charlie Kolodziej, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
  • No mandate states, predominantly centered around the South, had lower COVID case rates initially, then saw more spread over the summer, patterns that remained consistent over several years.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of predominantly
Adverb
  • Gabriella paid off most of his entourage to leave him and the band alone and is now basically his own private Joe Jackson, pressuring him to record nonstop.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • First, Season 4 basically just dropped a lot of characters from the central story.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of basically
Adverb
  • Oppenheimer’s note was principally focused, fitting for a global strategist, on how equity returns will be reshaped in a new regime.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 June 2026
  • The laser targeted one of three ground stations, principally NASA's White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Table Mountain Facility in California, with a third, experimental ground station at the Australian National University's Mount Stromlo Observatory.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 June 2026
Definition of principally

Browse Nearby Words

by-and-bys
by and large
by-blow
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Cite this Entry

“By and large.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/by%20and%20large. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of by and large for Spanish Speakers

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