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Definitions

mainly

[meyn-lee] / ˈmeɪn li /
ADVERB
for the most part
Synonyms
STRONG
chiefly primarily principally
WEAK
above all essentially first and foremost generally in general in the main largely most of all mostly on the whole overall predominantly substantially to the greatest extent usually
Antonyms
STRONG
secondarily

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.

No arrests were made in Wednesday's raids, which took place in 12 states, mainly in the east and south of Germany, including Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

His Turner Endangered Species Fund, launched in June 1997, has worked to save gopher tortoises, monarch butterflies and leopard frogs, working mainly with private landowners.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

By targeting Iran instead of all pistachio exporting countries, it shows the policy was mainly punitive, rather than intentionally protectionist.

From Salon • May 6, 2026

A term life policy is mainly designed to replace income or cover obligations after a person’s death, so it’s probably more useful for someone with heirs.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Here I've upped it to six or seven, mainly because I'm too lazy to do anything else.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris