PRIMARILY Synonyms: 67 Similar and Opposite Words

primarily

adverb

prī-ˈmer-ə-lē

Definition of primarily

as in originally

in the beginning the university was primarily an agricultural college when it was founded over two centuries ago

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mainly

for the most part ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 primarily Ultimately, this visible lump is a permanent record of a hormonal change, primarily designed to be heard, reflecting the body's adolescent effort to project a larger presence. — Scott Travers, Forbes.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 Of particular note is JetZero’s announcement that the aircraft will be built primarily from composite materials. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 July 2026 Bobbitt has said the Oakland Acquisition Company remains focused primarily on the sale’s logistics, with specific redevelopment plans up in the air. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for primarily

Recent Examples of Synonyms for primarily

Adverb

The preserved Plum Orchard, a 30-room, 22,000-square-foot mansion originally occupied by Andrew Carnegie’s nephew, circa 1898.

— Jennifer Peebles, AJC.com, 7 July 2026
The Pennsylvania native was originally drafted as a two-way player out of Connecticut with the 30th overall pick in 2022, but was more of a pitcher who occasionally hit.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 6 July 2026

Definition of originally

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

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

primal

primarily

primary

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

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Synonyms of primarily

adverb

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