MOSTLY Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

mostly

adverb

ˈmōst-lē

Definition of mostly

as in mainly

for the most part the weather this month has been mostly mild

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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 mostly Harriman said the project is for shipping warehouses and will mostly be parking lot space. — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 And at the other hotels in town, the competition for open positions is really intense, the promotions mostly from within. — Noah Shachtman, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026 That never materialized, as injuries limited him to nine games and mostly special teams work. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 If Erik Spoelstra could make Duncan Robinson work in a defensive scheme as a guy who mostly just shoots 3-pointers, then Klay will absolutely be a weapon. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mostly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mostly

Adverb

Done with a cheek swab, blood draw or saliva sample, this testing mainly looks at liver enzymes that affect how the body metabolizes medicines.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
It’s mainly centered on Billie, who is worried about an old Facebook post standing in the way of finding a job.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of mainly

Adverb

Summary The Toronto Blue Jays are struggling to meet high expectations this season, primarily due to the unexpected offensive slump of star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Diamondback Energy Mehta is also bullish on Diamondback Energy, an independent oil and natural gas company focused on energy reserves that are primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

— TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of primarily

Adverb

Many of the dozens missing in its environs were foreign nationals, chiefly Indian or Indian-origin pilgrims who were returning from, or preparing to make, the journey further into Tibet to Mount Kailash, a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Today, other drugs are more often deployed, chiefly benzodiazepines or the benzodiazepine Clonazepam, which also render a person zombie-like and more reliably submissive.

— Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of chiefly

Adverb

While High-Flyer’s pre-IPO picks have largely aligned with China’s national priorities, its own priority is still potential investment upside, industry experts say.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
This is an episode built largely on a series of escalating miscommunications.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of largely

Adverb

In the aftermath of World War II, looking Asian was considered a liability in their predominantly white town.

— Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Monochromatic features carry through with lighter gray eyestay clips and netting, as well as a predominantly black midsole, TPU wings and lining.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of predominantly

Adverb

This rising use of AI has principally been spurred by the evolving advances and widespread adoption of generative AI and LLMs such as ChatGPT, GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and others.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Massachusetts should examine whether programs operating under the banner of victim services remain principally accountable to victims.

— Laurie Myers, Boston Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of principally

Adverb

Yet France’s challenges ahead are in many ways the same as California’s — most basically, just how to survive a hotter, more volatile climate with fire dangers that far exceed what was normal just a generation ago.

— Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
The concept is basically like a solar eclipse; a coronagraph blocks out the glare of a star such that anything around that star can come into focus.

— Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of basically

Adverb

Asians generally have longer life expectancies than those outside the region—but longer lives aren’t the same as healthier ones.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
Deployed as a No 10 and later as a striker, Wissa epitomised all that was good about Newcastle with his energy and drive, leaving a trail of Liverpool players in his wake in the lead-up to the second goal and generally inspiring those around him.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of generally

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“Mostly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mostly. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mostly

adverb

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