essentially

ADVERB

basically

Synonyms

STRONGEST

actually approximately necessarily originally permanently quite really substantially truly typically virtually

STRONG

fundamentally

WEAK

at heart at the heart of centrally characteristically chiefly determinately factually importantly in effect in essence indispensably inherently intimately intrinsically materially more or less so naturally primarily principally radically significantly vitally

Antonyms

STRONGEST

doubtfully

WEAK

apparently on the surface superficially

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The dinosaur nugs are essentially a shortcut, saving you time and effort on prepping and cooking the chicken yourself.

From Salon • Jun. 28, 2026

In one of the NBA’s all-time heists, Pelinka brought the then-25-year-old Slovenian superstar to L.A. from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for essentially an aging and injury-prone Anthony Davis and just one first-round draft pick.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2026

When it comes to income, investors essentially have two choices: stocks or bonds.

From Barron's • Jun. 26, 2026

Irving Berlin had his own way of acknowledging the Depression, mostly in songs like “Let’s Have Another Cup of Coffee” in which the message is, essentially, “cheer up, things aren’t so bad.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

It is essentially a guide to women and love.

From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman

Vocabulary lists containing essentially

Amari and the Night Brothers

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A First Time for Everything

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Look Both Ways

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