Synonyms of primarily

primarily

adverb

prī-ˈmer-ə-lē 

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

• originally
• initially
• at first
• to start with
• firstly
• incipiently
• primitively

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• finally
• ultimately
• lastly

2

as in mainly

for the most part

ketchup is primarily made from tomatoes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mainly
• mostly
• chiefly
• predominantly
• largely
• principally
• basically
• generally
• substantially
• usually
• normally
• typically
• partly
• in general
• commonly
• most
• on the whole
• partially
• practically
• by and large
• altogether
• overall
• broadly
• virtually
• frequently
• nearly
• approximately
• somewhat
• roughly
• ordinarily
• rather
• more or less
• much
• some
• next to
• about
• plus or minus
• well-nigh
• nigh
• near
• incompletely

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• entirely
• wholly
• fully
• completely
• perfectly
• totally
• thoroughly
• just
• hardly
• barely
• scarcely
• minimally
• absolutely
• marginally
• categorically
• unqualifiedly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of primarily

Flying’s guilt-free ritual Ryanair is Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, and primarily serves destinations on the continent and in North Africa. —Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Current conditions, with the labor market defying fears of a deeper trough and inflation staying high due primarily to the impact from tariffs and the Iran war, have kept the Fed in a holding pattern on interest rates. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 May 2026

Hantavirus is a rare group of viruses primarily spread by the inhalation of mouse feces and urine. —Eva Flowe may 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026

Warner’s studios, primarily its TV business, had a strong quarter, in part because of those international rollouts. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026