Definitions

principally

[prin-suh-puh-lee, -sip-lee] / ˈprɪn sə pə li, -sɪp li /

ADVERB

mainly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

basically chiefly first and foremost generally importantly largely mostly notably particularly predominantly

STRONG

primarily

WEAK

above all before anything else cardinally dominantly eminently especially essentially first of all for the most part fundamentally in the first place in the main materially peculiarly preeminently prevailingly prevalently substantially superlatively supremely to a great degree universally vitally

Antonyms

WEAK

secondarily trivially

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.

Her concurrence reminds readers that the question of citizenship has never been principally about immigration.

From Slate • Jul. 2, 2026

Snider and team point out, though, that recent strength has been driven principally by a 16% surge in earnings-per-share growth estimates.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Although he is principally an assist machine, with 30 for the German champions this season, France will create so many chances that he could be a boot contender too.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

And U.S. agencies that handle border security, principally Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, have big budgets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

The traditional ceremony of the circumcision school was arranged principally for Justice — the rest of us, twenty-six in all, were there mainly to keep him company.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

principally

Example Sentences

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