1
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
2
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
The country is one of the world's top coal producers, primarily sourcing it from Mpumalanga, where open-pit mines and aging power stations are prevalent.
—
Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Coverage is primarily in urban areas, and plan availability may differ by location.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
It is equipped with high-resolution video and photo cameras, primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
The new schools designated for the 2025-26 school year are primarily located on the South and West sides.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primarily
Brittney Melton, NPR, 28 Aug. 2025
Coverage is primarily in urban areas, and plan availability may differ by location.
—Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
It is equipped with high-resolution video and photo cameras, primarily for surveillance and reconnaissance tasks.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
The new schools designated for the 2025-26 school year are primarily located on the South and West sides.
—Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for primarily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for primarily
Adverb
-
Tucked away behind gates off Moores Lane Road, the old log cabin on the site was originally crafted by a wealthy physician named Jabez Owen in the early 1800s.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The legal situation emerges just weeks after the release of Weller’s Find El Dorado, a 15-track collection of covers, including songs originally recorded by the Bee Gees, The Kinks, Richie Havens, Christy Moore, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and more.—
Lars Brandle,
Billboard,
21 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Once healthy, DeJean played mainly special teams until Week 6 rolled around.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Between 2009-16 Venezuelan drones were used mainly for surveillance and patrol.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The winner was named Bear, a mostly black Lab, with Collie, Chow-Chow, a little standard poodle and some other blend, according to his family in Northborough, Massachusetts.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Even without their shocking-orange hue, Cheetos are mostly empty vectors for salt and fat.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
23 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The legislature met for its latest special session chiefly to address a $783 million budget deficit brought on by tax cuts and spending changes made by the federal government in July.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has lent his support to an opposition campaign being led by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and chiefly funded by good governance advocate Charles Munger Jr.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
In Katrina's wake, one New Orleans community thrives as another still fights for survival The day's events are set to start in the Lower 9th Ward, where a levee failed and allowed floodwaters to inundate a predominantly Black community.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
-
At that time, the city's public school system was in the midst of a dramatic reconstitution: The predominantly Black teacher corps had lost their jobs, and new charter schools were opening up, often hiring young, white teachers and leaders from out of town.—
Sarah Carr,
NPR,
27 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Keeping Detroit's depth chart largely unchanged at the top. Allen, meanwhile, brings the kind of experience Hooker lacks.—
Cecil Merkerson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
-
This ultimately will affect more than half a million individuals in Gaza, according to the World Health Organization in the upcoming weeks, and is largely due to Israel limiting the flow of food and aid into Gaza, according to reports from NPR.—
Omer Awan,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Primarily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/primarily. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share