as in usually
according to the usual course of things
ordinarily, I get off work at five, but this week I'm working late to meet a project deadline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 ordinarily
In the escalating war in Iran, the State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs would ordinarily be at the center of the geopolitical fray.
—
Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Quantum measurement disturbance, ordinarily a nuisance, would serve as a shield against prying eyes.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
The gravitational pressure could be so extreme as to crush neutrons into their building blocks, which are fundamental particles called quarks and the gluons that ordinarily bind quarks together to form protons and neutrons.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Qatar, which ordinarily supports the mullahs’ interests, has also been targeted.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026
Quantum measurement disturbance, ordinarily a nuisance, would serve as a shield against prying eyes.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
The gravitational pressure could be so extreme as to crush neutrons into their building blocks, which are fundamental particles called quarks and the gluons that ordinarily bind quarks together to form protons and neutrons.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Mar. 2026
Qatar, which ordinarily supports the mullahs’ interests, has also been targeted.
—Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ordinarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ordinarily
Adverb
-
Brent Ellison, a resident of Smithville, said all three restaurants in the strip mall were usually pretty busy and treated customers like family.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Add in limited ventilation and the fact that windows usually can’t be opened freely, and the effects can quickly become noticeable.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
An operative would normally plan to walk alone to a hotel room to avoid being seen with an asset.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Early morning or overnight hours are normally the best options to avoid congestion.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Elders taken into state care typically agree to be sent to homes chosen for them, DCF said.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Symptoms of chickenpox typically appear between 10 and 21 days after being exposed to the virus.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ordinarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ordinarily. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
