mainly

adverb

ˈmān-lē How to pronounce mainly (audio)
Definition of mainlynext
as in mostly
for the most part you mainly need to focus on improving your golf swing

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 mainly In her Sintra speech Tuesday, Breeden said that, for now, trading firms mainly use autonomous AI for lower-risk operational tasks, such as research. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 3 July 2026 That’s mainly because Accurso and Sharp built a gluten-free following at Roots, which has been operating at 940 NW Pryor Road in Lee’s Summit for four years. — Jenna Thompson july 2, Kansas City Star, 2 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 Already one of the nation’s largest White supremacist groups, Patriot Front is expanding, having added hundreds of members – mainly young men – across 49 states in the past two years, the documents obtained by USA TODAY suggest. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mainly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mainly
  1. mostly
  2. primarily
  3. chiefly
  4. largely
  5. predominantly
  6. principally
  7. basically
  8. generally
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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Damaged or bruised portions of fruits and vegetables should be cut away, or the produce should be discarded, and produce should generally be refrigerated within two hours of purchase, per MCHD.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • Coop — who has been practicing his knots, learning how to drive the tender, and generally being attentive and curious about his new job — does wonderfully, which earns him some praise from the bosun.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 June 2026
Definition of generally

Browse Nearby Words

mainlands
mainly
main man
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Cite this Entry

“Mainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mainly. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of mainly for Spanish Speakers

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