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.

Their programs were not principally drill-and-kill exercises, but extended to mathematics, English composition, geography, history, and music — piano, violin, and choral programs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Kafka’s posthumous fortune owes principally to the evangelism of his friend, Max Brod, who refused the author’s dying request to destroy his papers.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

The Mourinho option is driven principally by Perez himself… and by the Portuguese manager.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Kaneva said most of the crude passing through the strait was headed for Asia, principally China.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

What they objected to principally was that the three oldest girls were being turned away from family activities.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

principally

Example Sentences

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